Autobiographical novel

An autobiographical novel, also known as a autobiographical fiction, fictional autobiography, or autobiographical fiction novel, is a type of novel which uses autofiction techniques, or the merging of autobiographical and fictive elements. The literary technique is distinguished from a typical autobiography or memoir by being a work of fiction presented in the same fashion as a typical non-fiction autobiography by "imitating the conventions of an autobiography."^[1]

Because an autobiographical novel is partially fiction, the author does not ask the reader to expect the text to fulfill the "autobiographical pact".^[2] Names and locations are often changed and events are recreated to make them more dramatic but the story still bears a close resemblance to that of the author's life. While the events of the author's life are recounted, there is no pretense of exact truth. Events may be exaggerated or altered for artistic or thematic purposes.^[3]

A distinguish between fully autobiographical novels explained above, and semi-autobiographical novels can be made. The latter, also known as a roman à clef, are fictional works based on the author's own life. Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar is often considered to be an example of a semi-autobiographical novel.^[3]