In praise of autobiography

Lino Spiteri (The Sunday Times, December 7), praising Oliver Friggieri's Tifkiriet, lays stress on "the growing propensity for the publication of autobiographies and memories". May other literary critics shower praise on patriotic Oliver and prolific Lino, inimitable, effective and different from others in their approach to literary themes.

Yet, a prospective author does not need to scale their heights before expressing his reminiscences in writing. He does not need to be a renowned politician, a member of the diplomatic corps or an established author. Every individual has a story to tell. Everyone can exploit the labyrinths of life to keep past history alive.

Every person has lived his time differently from others, moulded by institutions, religious beliefs, educational career and family upbringing. Exploring his lifetime is an exercise in creativity and originality. It is unique because it is his own.

An autobiography is a personal narrative. Unlike fiction, it tells the truth. It is also a vehicle for revealing the author's expressive thoughts on the contemporary scene. He deliberately explores the intricacies of various life tangents that influenced him and others like him.

He and his family are the tangible evidence of historic vacuums often ignored by generic historical books. In this way, he reveals much that has remained unwritten within the parameters of his social status, especially that of a working class life struggling with fear and starvation. It is the myriad autobiographies that together might give a very deep insight into the concrete realism of a family, beset by poverty or blessed by wealth.

Writing an autobiography entails much more than writing a factual chronicle of events. An autobiography is the stamp of the writer's identity. Neither his identity nor his writing ever remains static. Both turn dynamic with cumulative experiences and eclectic knowledge, with psychological enrichment and behavioural characteristics.

All these qualities help the writer produce a work different from that of others. His personal experiences live in memory in the subconscious mind and in the stream of consciousness. Yet the eventful chain of past and present remains unbroken, though not necessarily recited in any chronological sequence. Moreover, the morally upright writer in search of truth tells no lies. Therefore, an autobiography, though it may be didactic at times, entertains and reinforces the relevant truths of historical epochs.

He may zoom in on a coterie of people, relatives and friends, whose work and play many others have long forgotten. He exposes the vagaries of the times and places best known to him. He uncovers habits, events and episodes completely unknown to others. He narrates anecdotes of meritorious actions. His account often brings to light the actions of pockets of unknown yet heroic people. Consequently, it is a study in nostalgic memorabilia of a chequered past epoch.

It is truly a confession of unforgettable characters and indelible scenes tinged with unexpected moments of tragedy, the unavoidable vicissitudes of life. Autobiography identifies common values and enshrined principles that solidify together to provide a special recognition of local identities such as suburban parochialism, sports obsession and familial development.

Besides, the cumulative effect of local words, expressions, anecdotes and speech oddities distinguish the community from others in urban areas. Such aspects may stimulate the memories of Maltese abroad who once shared the idiosyncrasies of the suburb. They revive reminiscences of their old haunts and an urgent feeling, a sentimental yearning, to go on pilgrimage to the suburb they knew so well.

Therefore, one must praise enterprising publishers who encourage the writing and reading of autobiography. By doing so, they may increase the popularity of this literary genre.