A History of Autofiction

Mapping the hitherto largely neglected history of autofictional literature and describing developments in autofictional modes against socio-historical changes, cultural trends, and philosophical-psychological discussions around self and mind, this book both explores and historicizes the genre's contemporary boom. Beginning with autofiction's emergence in 18th-century England against changes in publishing culture and author concept, and then tracing forms and functions of autofiction up to the contemporary moment, A History of Autofiction highlights why select narrative strategies are abandoned, transformed, or repurposed; which forms, affordances, and effects of autofictional modes are persistent; and which were particular to a given period. With focus on salient authors and texts from anglophone autofiction around the world and shining spotlights on insightful socio-historical and biographical ideas, Alexandra Effe also works to foreground autofictional elements of works not previously considered part of the genre.

Interdisciplinary and holistic in approach, this book offers fresh perspectives on a range of canonical autofictional texts, allowing for a novel and more encompassing understanding of an important current cultural trend and of its development. Shedding light on autofictional phenomena through research in neuroscience, psychology and philosophy of the mind while demonstrating that autofictional literature holds insights for cognitive science, Effe also innovates how autofiction has been studied by developing a cognitive-holistic approach to the triad of author, text, and reader.