In the literary world, 2021 has been a year marked by biographies and memoirs from some of the globe’s most high profile individuals. Compiled by a variety of the UKs leading news publications, several have cited some of these works in their book round-ups of the year. This comes alongside research from StoryTerrace, a national biographer that helps people turn their own life story into a book, revealing that a quarter of us believe our own story could be made into a book or film.
With the end of 2021 fast approaching, now marks a pivotal time to reflect on the past year of life stories that have been documented:
1) Will – Will Smith
Largely known for his roles in some of the world’s most renowned films, as well as the TV show The Fresh Prince of Bell Air, Will is the story of how Will Smith mastered his own emotions. Few of us know the pressure of performing on the world’s biggest stages, in which this memoir details some of the pivotal moments and unknown milestones of his life so far.
2) Will She Do? – Eileen Atkins
Will She Do? is actress Dame Eileen Atkins’ memoir of her childhood and early career, which takes us on a journey from her awkward performances in working-men’s clubs at six years of age, through the war years in London, all the way to her breakthrough on Broadway.
3) Churchill & Son – Josh Ireland
We may think we know everything about Winston Churchill: the bulldog grimace, the ever-present cigar, and the wit and wisdom that led Great Britain through WW2. In this new biography, Churchill & Son tells the untold story of Winston Churchill’s bond with his only son, Randolph.
4) This Much Is True – Miriam Margolyes
Now, at the age of 80, award-winning actor Miriam Margolyes has finally decided to tell her extraordinary life story. In her memoir, we find out what pranks led to her being known as the naughtiest girl Oxford High School ever had, swearing on University Challenge, and being told off by the Queen.
5) Rememberings – Sinéad O’Connor
In Rememberings, O’Connor tells her story in her own words. She details the heartache of growing up in a family falling apart; her early forays into the Dublin music scene; her adventures and misadventures; the fulfilment of being a mother; her ongoing spiritual quest, and her abiding passion for music.
6) Fall – John Preston
John Preston delivers the definitive account of Maxwell’s rise and fall, told with pace and enthusiasm from the author of A Very English Scandal.
7) Nina Simone’s Gum – Warren Ellis
Nina Simone’s Gum is about how something so small can form beautiful connections between people. It is a story about the meaning we place on things, on experiences, and how they become imbued with spirituality; a celebration of artistic process, friendship, understanding and love.
8) Prince Harry: The Inside Story
Prince Harry: The Inside Story recalls Harry’s Eton days, his military career, as well as his love life. Since his military career has ended, the public eye has persistently been on Harry, with questions raised around what life, career and love have in store for, arguably, the most entertaining resident of Buckingham Palace.
Rutger Bruining, Founder and CEO of StoryTerrace, discusses the rise of biography writing over the past year – from celebrities to your next door neighbour:
“Biographies provide a unique and personal insight into the lives of all individuals. We’re able to learn about and discover parts of people’s lives that we were previously unaware of, conveyed in their own words, from their own perspective. Through this, we often feel more connected to them – whether they’re one of the world’s most well-known celebrities, or one of our own family members. This is testament to the fact that you do not have to be a celebrity to have an amazing story to tell and document.
Biography writing has boomed in the past year, which has seen high-profile individuals like Prince Harry and Will Smith announcing their own works. However, lots of people may not know that the relationship between the ghost-writer and the storyteller is really important. Ensuring that the ghost-writer understands the journey of the storyteller’s life is essential, and as a result, they often end up having a friendship that extends beyond the writing of the book.
At StoryTerrace, our writers come from a wide variety of backgrounds, but all share the same fundamental passion for helping people to capture their stories. We have now built a network of over 600 incredible writers, all of whom have helped document some moving stories of people from all walks of life. Clients are matched with a writer best suited to them, based on their background and personality, which makes the experience tailored to every storyteller.”
