New Zealand Listener

Unhappy endings

SPLINTERS

by Leslie Jamison (Granta, $39.99)

“Jamison seems unwilling and unable to mediate her swelling ambition in deference to her husband’s aching sense of failure.

Historically, memoirs have typically been end-of-life recollections of an individual’s place in the tide of world events. Many contemporary international writers of autobiographical fiction carry on that tradition, braiding the intimate details of their lives with the revolutionary arcs of their times. But there are some memoirists whose gaze faces solipsistically inwards, leading to a naked evisceration of the self. These writers are often quite young and their stories frequently concern recovery from addictions, eating disorders, dysfunctional families, lack of privilege or too much privilege, bigotry, abuse, bouts of severe depression and grappling with incurable illness. Their

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from New Zealand Listener

New Zealand Listener2 min read
Reigning Supreme
NIGHT REIGN by Arooj Aftab NEWS OF THE UNIVERSE by La Luz One of the most musically beguiling artists of recent years has been Arooj Aftab. Born in Saudi Arabia to Pakistani parents, after teenage years in Lahore, she’s now based in Brooklyn and co
New Zealand Listener1 min read
Sunday June 16
For the fourth season of the anthology series, showrunner Nic Pizzolatto handed over the reins to Mexican director, writer and producer Issa López, who immediately gave it an oestrogen boost and ramped up the supernatural. Jodie Foster plays police c
New Zealand Listener4 min read
Still Rapt In Mystery
The Brokenwood Mysteries has reached a milestone 10th season, so the Listener brought in some of those involved for questioning. Stars Fern Sutherland (Detective Kristin Sims) and Jarod Rawiri (DC Daniel Chalmers), and writer-producer Tim Balme look

Related Books & Audiobooks