TRUE STORIES

True Stories is an exploration of the lives behind the words—an intimate look into the biographies and memoirs of literary and literary-adjacent women whose lives are as captivating and complex as the works they created or inspired. From the bold autonomy of Susan Sontag to the fierce self-reflection of Patti Smith, this course brings you face-to-face with women who have defied societal expectations, navigated personal and artistic crises, and left an indelible mark on culture and literature.

Through a curated selection of works, we’ll encounter Virginia Woolf’s piercing insights into her own mind and craft, Eve Babitz’s unapologetic chronicle of her life in Los Angeles, and the vivid, genre-blurring reflections of Maggie Nelson. We’ll also examine personal accounts from iconic figures like Anaïs Nin, exploring her journals and letters that reveal an unfiltered view of her inner world and creative relationships. Each story weaves together the intensity of personal experience with the act of self-narration, turning lives into literary forms that inspire and provoke.

This course invites readers to delve into narratives that blur the line between life and art, offering insight into the ways these remarkable women shaped and narrated their worlds. With weekly readings and discussions, we’ll unpack how each memoir or biography reveals not only an individual’s story but also a distinct, defiant voice that challenges and enriches our understanding of self, art, and legacy.