There always exists a distance between storytelling and the reality and truth.
Facts are cherry-picked and color-painted. Emotions and experiences are molded. Perceptions are crafted. Then individual perspectives are conveyed.
Have we realized that Hernan Diaz is the actual ghostwriter for Venner’s book, Bonds. He is the ghostwriter for the ghostwriter, Ida, for Andrew’s publicity stunt. He is the ghostwriter for Ida’s introspective memoir and he is the ghostwriter for Mildred’s diary.
Could it be that Diaz has fooled all of us, including the Pulitzer’s evaluation committee that awarded him the prize?
Or, is he presenting the profundity of the same question that Pontius Pilate asked Jesus over 2000 years ago: “What is the truth?”
In this world, unfortunately, many lies comprise 99% of the facts. A 1% twist can steer perspectives towards a self-serving purpose, just like the snake in the Garden of Eden.