How Do We Know When To Believe Autobiographies?

Autobiographical Fraud

The third in a recent flurry of autobiographies has been proven a contrived story, one that was praised on Oprah’s show, as well as by others.  Berkley Books cancelled a Holocast love story, Angel in the Fence, due to come out in February, after they found out the story was not true as initially claimed.

This book follows two published books, A Million Little Pieces and Love and Consequences, which the authors eventually admitted were fabricated.  A children’s book, Angel Girl, based on the supposed Holocaust love story, appeared in print earlier this year.

With these widely publicized books coming to light as contrived stories, it becomes difficult to know what’s true and what isn’t when you’re reading about someone’s life.  Some, perhaps all of the books, may have made good fiction novels if labeled as such.  It’s when the author tries to pass them off as true stories of his/her life that the trouble begins.

One’s memory of their life often become hazy without notes and journals.  Also, members of a family will remember incidents somewhat differently, yet they know that those things happened.  My sister and I frequently discuss childhood incidents, and one recalls more details than the other.  However, we know that they occurred.

What do you think?  Have you begun to doubt the truth as written in autobiographies you read, whether they’re for children or adults?