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Article: Melita Schaum, a Sinner of Memory.(Book Review)
- Article from:
- The Literary Review
- Article date:
- September 22, 2004
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2004 Fairleigh Dickinson University. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Melita Schaum, A Sinner of Memory. Michigan: Michigan State University Press, 2004.
Melita Schaum believes in the power of personal essay. In the introduction to her new book of essays, A Sinner of Memory, she immediately states her conviction that the essay form can act as vehicle for readers and writers to "return to authenticity." Truth, however, is not synonymous with literal fact, which she is also quick to point out. "Facts have a way of serving their latest master," she writes, and as such, perhaps all writers are in some way "sinners of memory." Schaum admittedly takes liberties with places, names and details, but tries to remain loyal to the core ...