Memoir Snob Episode 42: How Tracy Austin Broke My Heart by David Foster Wallace
Mar 15, 2024
The podcast discusses the flaws in celebrity memoirs, the impact of top athletes' TV interviews, and the power of well-written memoirs. It highlights David Foster Wallace's critique of Tracy Austin's memoir and delves into the contrast between ghostwritten and skilled writer memoirs.
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Episode notes
DFW's Alleged Abuse
- Host Sam mentioned a quote from Carmen Maria Machado's book about DFW's alleged abuse of Mary Karr.
- This prompted the host to research and discuss DFW's problematic behavior.
Billy Joel Memoir
- The host compares her excitement for a potential Billy Joel memoir to DFW's excitement for Tracy Austin's memoir.
- She discusses Joel's canceled memoir and the ghostwriter's subsequent biography.
DFW's Review Style
- DFW uses numerous quotes to demonstrate the memoir's poor writing, rather than explicitly criticizing it.
- The host found this approach humorous and effective.