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Not a Memoir
Graywolf Press
April 2010
On Sale: March 30, 2010
208 pages ISBN: 1555975542 EAN: 9781555975548 Paperback
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Non-Fiction Memoir
An adventurous exploration of the "I" in American culture,
by the author of Neck Deep and Other Predicaments Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me. Me.
Me. In contemporary America, land of tell-all memoirs and
endless reality television, what kind of person denies the
opportunity to present himself in his own voice, to lead
with “I”? How many layers of a life can be peeled back
before the self vanishes? In this provocative, witty series of meditations, Ander
Monson faces down the idea of memoir, grappling with the
lure of selfinterest and self-presentation. While setting
out to describe the experience of serving as head juror at
the trial of Michael Antwone Jordan, he can’t help veering
off into an examination of his own transgressions,
inadvertent and otherwise. He scrutinizes his private
experience of the public funeral ceremony for Gerald R.
Ford. He considers his addiction to chemically concocted
Doritos and disappointment in the plain, natural corn chip,
and finds that the manufactured, considered form, at least
in snacks, is ultimately a more rewarding experience than
the “truth.” So why is America so crazy about accurately
confessional memoirs?
With Vanishing Point, Monson delivers on the promise shown
in Neck Deep, which introduced his winning voice and
ability to redefine the essay and “puts most memoirs to
shame” (Time Out Chicago).
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