What is a fictional autobiography? Isn't that an oxymoron? Fiction is fiction, isn't it. Always thought this was a notion that was floated a few years back by left wing revisionists would-be historians. But hey, what do I know!
What is a fictional autobiography?
The book is a work of historical fiction. It pretends to be Alexander dictating his memoirs to a young man in his court during the time of the mutiny in India. The author uses this device to try to explore Alexander's motivation, to try to understand what drove him to be the conqueror he became.
Don't be so fast to judge. Historical fiction is often just a way to bring history to the masses. Much historical fiction is painstakingly researched and just puts history in a narritive format. It is one of my favorite genres. "Killer Angels" by Michael Shaara brings the battle of Gettyburg to life like no dry historical account ever could and is completely accurate. (depending on whether or not you subscribe to the Longstreet blew it version of the battle.) The Alan Eckert books on the taming of the american frontier read like an Indiana Jones movie but are historically accurate to the smallest detail. Myself, I am intrigued by this fictional autobiography of Alexander and plan on checking it out over the holidays.