Marilyn Abildskov Reading
Marilyn Abildskov reads from her memoir entitled The Men in My Country. Abildskov gives a brief context of her memoir, claiming that it is about the time she spent teaching English in Japan and the three men she fell in love with while in the country. She explains her drive to write about her experiences by claiming, “Mystery is what compels a writer, not expertise.” Abildskov does admit that it took her a while to write about such intimate experiences.
Abildskov goes on to discuss the overt criticism that the memoir form has received, pointing out that many are quick to criticize “inadequate memoirs,” but the same is not true for “inadequate novels.” She explains that she felt that the memoir/personal essay form was the best way for her to portray her “interior story.”
During a question and answer session, Abildskov discusses how she was treated by Japanese men during her stay, claiming that she “found them incredibly attentive.” She does admit, however, that “if I were a Japanese-American woman, I would have told a very different story.” She goes on to discuss her previous journalism experience, claiming that she eventually left the profession when she realized that the “real stories were on the side”—not the main news items.
In: "Live from Prairie Lights" Audio Archive | Nonfiction
Authors: Marilyn Abildskov
Date Recorded: March 22, 2005
Works Read: The Men in My Country by Marilyn Abildskov
Program: Live From Prairie Lights
Format: reading
Contributors: Introduction by host Julie Englander.
Topics: Japan, romantic relationships, memoir, journalism