What are the characteristics/ features of the autobiographical novel?

An autobiographical novel is a work of fiction that is
based on the life of the author. It is different from an autobiography because it does
not claim to be entirely true, but is instead mostly fiction with connections to the
author's life. The author has written a book based on his/her life, but distanced the
novel from reality in some way by incorporating fictional events and characters.
Autobiographical novels often include intense themes such as sex, war, and family
troubles which an author may not be comfortable exposing in a true autobiography. Some
examples of autobiographical novels include: Little Women by Louisa
May Alcott, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, and
the Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath.