Can You Ever Forgive Me by Lee Israel

Can You Ever Forgive Me by Lee Israel is the memoir that outlines Lee's career as a letter forger. Having been a best selling author, she never thought she would end up for desperate, but her services as a serious author were not longer in demand. As a biography writer she had spend lots of time researching famous people and lots of time in archives, so her route to crime was already paved by her. Her writing is absolutely charming and delightful, funny and insightful. It is especially interesting to see some of the letters the forged to be included in the book. She forged Louise Brookes, Noel Coward, Fanny Brice and Dorothy Parker among others. It is very interesting to see her process of writing these forgeries. She researched famous people's actual letters, in some cases using exact phrases or slightly altered phrases that they actually wrote. She also used biographies and the timing of real events to make her letters seem real. Definitely a thought provoking book where you wonder how much a crime is this, and how much fulfilling the wishes of collectors, by giving them what they want.