An
autobiographical novel is a form of
novel using
autofiction techniques, or the merging of
autobiographical and fictive elements. The
literary technique is distinguished from an
autobiography or
memoir by the stipulation of being
fiction. Because an autobiographical novel is partially fiction, the author does not ask the reader to expect the text to fulfill the "autobiographical pact". 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.