Theory and concepts

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Autobiographical writings have been a significant cultural genre throughout history, allowing exploration of key literary questions such as the relationship between literature and reality, truth and fiction, and the dynamics of author, narrator, and subject. The tradition of life-writing has evolved into various forms, particularly in today's globalized context where media and technology rapidly transform lifestyles. This three-volume handbook broadly defines autobiography to include memoirs, diaries, self-portraits, and autofiction, providing a comprehensive overview of theoretical approaches, systematic aspects, and historical developments from an international and interdisciplinary perspective. While often viewed as a European tradition, the handbook emphasizes self-representation in non-Western cultures and intercultural perspectives. Individual contributions are interconnected through a system of cross-references, making the work accessible to scholars in cultural and literary studies, students, and general readers alike. The handbook highlights the enduring popularity and significance of autobiographical writing in contemporary society.