Documentary literature is a genre in which the plot is based on real events. Typically, such books are written on high-profile incidents or biographies of prominent people. Reading them, you can not only broaden your horizons, but also spend time with pleasure.
Another name for the works of such a plan is non-fiction. Strictly speaking, this concept includes all books in which characters are not invented. Nevertheless, author’s fiction can be used in such a work, not distorting the facts, but giving the story special interest. Such a book will relate to non-fiction.
Comparison with art plots
If works of art, regardless of genre, should be believable so that the reader can plunge even into the fantasy world of fantasy, then documentary literature should be just true. This distinction draws a seemingly clear line between the two species.
But at the same time, such an art genre as a novel is close to documentary literature, where the main character seems completely natural. He has his own character and does things in accordance with him. Situations in his life are true. As a result, the character seems real, as if described in a documentary work.
This situation is explained by the history of documentary literature, which developed in parallel with fiction. Often forms and themes arose in documentary prose, which were later adopted and processed in literary works. Such processing helped to form special techniques, for example, a traditional narrative style or unusual plot deployment schemes, and they, in turn, were already used in non-fiction. All these influences led to the formation of certain genres of documentary literature.
Formed genres
There are many books of documentary literature, but not all of them are interesting to a wide circle of readers. There are works demanded only by those who are engaged in the study of certain events, and often they are read in connection with professional activities. But at the same time there is a list of non-fiction that has become a bestseller and read with interest by everyone. And there are a lot of genres to choose from.
In any kind of literature, one way or another, the author’s point of view on the subject about which he writes is reflected. This is especially pronounced if the plot is based on your own memories or written about yourself. Such works are divided into the following genres:
- diary entries
- epistolary style;
- autobiography or memoirs.
In other cases, literature of such a plan may be presented in other forms, for example:
- biography;
- books on military subjects;
- works of art and design;
- popular science literature;
- journalism.
Thus, each reading person can identify for himself the genres that are most interesting to him and begin to get acquainted with documentary films from them.
Diary in letters
Diaries and letters are a special, even somewhat intimate genre. The reader observes the author’s monologue with himself, his thoughts, which were not originally intended for prying eyes. In the epistolary style, on the contrary, one can follow the dialogue of two people as an invisible third.
The authenticity of documentary in this genre leaves no doubt. The published passages are usually not subjected to artistic processing and appear before the reader in their original form. There are special works in which these two styles are closely intertwined. They are called diaries in letters. An excellent example of this genre is Anne Frank's Asylum. In it, a teenage girl, who was later destined to die in a concentration camp at the age of only 15, expresses emotions, seeks herself, dreams and hopes for the best. According to reviews, the work is read like a real fiction.
Memoirs
Autobiographies and memoirs of something outstanding people usually become known. These are not always heroes; memories of violent criminals also become popular. A person’s thoughts about himself are of interest, but unlike the diary, they are intended for other readers and often contain an author’s attempt to explain to the world not only the events of his life, but also his own attitude to them.
Surely each person has something to tell about his life. But some are at the center of events known to the whole world and their comments on this subject are especially valuable. So, the book of Rania Al-Baz “Disfigured” became a real bestseller at the time. A Saudi TV presenter, with a truly beautiful appearance, once became a victim of her own husband, who beat and mutilated her in a fit of jealousy. The man left his wife to die, but she left a four-day coma, underwent more than a dozen operations and told the world about the tragedy that had happened to her.
Biographies
The authors who take on the description of the lives of other people assume great responsibility, because you need to reflect not only the history of a person, but also his psychological type, the influence of society, culture and life on him. There is a whole series of biographical books, The Life of Remarkable People, which describe the stories of thousands of prominent figures. But there are biographies of a different plan.
So, for example, the prosecutor Terry Sullivan, who was a member of the investigation into the murder of 33 young people, subsequently wrote a book about a maniac caught and convicted. “The killer clown. The case of the maniac John Gacy "is interesting in an attempt to comprehend the psychology of the criminal. Readers will find out that the maniac was born in an extremely dysfunctional family, and subsequently the environment negatively influenced him. How this led to several dozen victims, and is described in the book.
Reading is not the most pleasant, but addictive, especially for horror fans. It was from this cold-blooded maniac that the image of Pennywise was written from Stephen King’s famous book “It”.
Art
Art has a very important role in life, and therefore there is documentary literature that reveals the secrets of creating great works and detailed information about them. Usually it is of interest to fans of an object. For example, admirers of Conan Doyle’s talent, who created a series of unique detective stories, can enjoy the details of his character’s world by reading Alex Werner’s work entitled Sherlock Holmes. A man who never lived and therefore never dies. ”
The book contains a huge number of illustrations for the detective, portraits of Doyle, the images of the actors who played Holmes, and, of course, photographs of London in the Victorian era. The articles of professors, art historians and museum workers collected in the work are quite curious and replete with interesting facts. And books of this kind exist for different works of art.
Popular Science
A feature of scientific and documentary literature is the promotion of science to the masses. Books of this kind are designed for specialists in various fields, and for inexperienced readers, including children. For example, in the work “The Shortest History of Time” by Stephen Hawking and Leonard Mlodinov, the most complex theories are presented in an accessible language. Scientists discover the nature of space and time, tell about the history of the Universe and explain their opinion about time travel, so the reading turns out to be truly fascinating.
In addition, the book has a small volume, and everyone can read it. And knowledge of this kind will always be welcome. The only negative, according to readers, is the rapid obsolescence of some facts, since science does not stand still, and almost every day you can learn something new about space.
Books about war
Documentary prose about one of the worst periods in history is quite in demand. Not much time has passed since the Second World War, people remember the feat of their ancestors, who experienced all the hardships and deprivations of that time, and want to learn more about it.
A feature of such books is an attempt to convey to the modern generation the feelings of the people living at that time, to warn the world from repeating the horrors of the war years. One of the most famous works of such a plan is Svetlana Aleksievich Sample of Russian Documentary Literature “The War Does Not Have a Woman's Face” translated into two dozen languages. It tells about terrible moments on behalf of hundreds of women. This nightmare is difficult to perceive, but at the end of the book the reader will be able to understand that time better.
Journalism
A feature of such works as journalism is an attempt to reflect public opinion. It is often called the science of society and the state, with the result that the word journalism is rarely associated with something truly fascinating. However, there are some works that are interesting to a wide circle of readers. For example, in the work of Mikhail Zygar “The entire Kremlin army. A Brief History of Modern Russia ”describes in detail the events taking place in the country after Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin became president.
The book is based on genuine documents and personal interviews taken from the president’s inner circle. Reading it, the decision-making mechanisms in domestic and foreign policy become clearer. In this work there is no exaltation of Putin, he appears as an ordinary person who is characterized by the manifestation of emotions and a change of opinion. Thus, it provides an opportunity for self-education and a better understanding of the policies of the native country.
Historical literature
The direction of documentary historical literature can be distinguished separately, although military works describing a certain stage of life and some representatives of journalism also fall under this concept. Its feature is an honest reflection of life in any period. For example, in the book of Peter Weil and Alexander Genis “60th. World of Soviet Man ”describes the era that began after the XXII Congress of the Communist Party. It can be interesting both for people of that time, and for younger generation.
Reader Reviews
Many people who have discovered the world of high-quality non-fiction literature do not even want to return to reading fiction. According to readers, non-fiction helps to develop and improve, broaden their horizons and find out a lot of useful information that is used in real life.