Great article today, by Jon Carroll, over at SF Gate. Just thought I'd share:
http://www.sfgate.com/columnists/carroll/"There are only so many stories in the world, and the publishing industry seems intent on telling the same one over and over again. This story concerns a notably articulate man or woman who writes a searing account of his/her time as an addict or as a gang member or in prison or living with wolves or turning tricks at truck stops or indulging in other seamy behavior, a manuscript whose sordid details are offset by its ultimate affirmation of life, and lo and behold, after publication (and, inevitably, splendid reviews), it turns out that the author was, what's the word I'm looking for, lying."