In my Advanced Composition class, there has been a lot of discussion about how to market books, the credibility of authors, and the overall authenticity of pieces of writing. Specifically, the topic of memoirs became a subject of debate. How do readers feel when they read a book labeled as a memoir only to find out that it's actually fiction? Does the author lose credibility in the eyes or the readers? Do readers feel that the book has lost its value?

Some answered "yes." After finding out that the "memoir" is not real, they lose interest in the book and respect for the author. Yet others answered "no." They feel that good writing is just that, good writing. They believe that it doesn't matter whether the book is fiction or nonfiction; if it's a good story that draws them in, then it's worth reading.

While flipping through The New York Times, I found an article addressing this exact issue. In the article titled "A Reality Check for Steinbeck and Charley," written by Charles McGrath, John Steinbeck's book, "Travels With Charley: In Search of America," is put into question. New evidence has surfaced suggesting that a large amount of Steinbeck's journey across the United States may have been made up.

The book was marketed as a nonfiction account of Steinbeck's travels across the country with his sole companion, his French poodle, Charley. Steinbeck was thought to have stayed at campgrounds, slept in his camper, and talked with locals in hopes of "reconnecting himself with the country." After the book was published in 1962, it quickly became a best seller. Even today, it is still regarded as an American classic.

Apparently, some readers instantly noticed that the dialogue in the book seemed "stagey" and "wooden" not unlike his conversations in his works of fiction. Even Steinbeck's son agrees that parts of the book were fake. "He just sat in his camper and wrote all that [expletive]," John Jr. tells McGrath. In facts, a former journalist for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Bill Steigerward, attempted to retrace Steinbeck's American adventure and found the Steinbeck spent the majority of his time in motels or luxury hotels. And apparently, his wife, Elaine, accompanied him during most of the trip.

Since this information was revealed, many people have expressed differing opinions on Steinbeck as an author and the book "Travels With Charley." Susan Shillinglaw, and English teacher at San Jose State University and a scholar in residence at the National Steinbeck Center, said, "Any writer has the right to shape materials, and undoubtedly, Steinbeck left things out. That doesn't mean the book is a lie." Jay Parini, the author of a 1995 biography of Steinbeck, agrees with Shillinglaw. "Does this shake my faith in the book? Quite the opposite...if you want to get the spirit of something, sometimes it's important to use the techniques of a fiction writer."

In contrast, Steigerward was surprised that Steinbeck scholars had little to no reaction to his findings. "Other than the fact that none of that is true, what can I tell you? If scholars aren't concerned about this, what are they scholaring about?," he asks.

In any case, some Steinbeck readers felt betrayed while others looked past his indiscretion. Readers form their own relationships with the books they read. These kind of discoveries happen all the time. It's up to each individual reader to decide whether the book (and the author) is worthy of praise or condemnation.