Today's Times devotes an unusual amount of space to debating an issue that's been eating away at literally tens of people: How autobiographical is Curtis Sittenfeld's debut novel, Prep? Felicia R. Lee is on the case:

Ms. Sittenfeld said she was surprised by the intensity of interest in the conflation of character and author, despite some similarities. After all, Lee is from South Bend, Ind., and Ms. Sittenfeld is from Cincinnati. They both have unisex names (she is officially the seventh Elizabeth Curtis Sittenfeld). Lee falters academically, and Ms. Sittenfeld struggled with Latin, French, math and science.


There's a whole lot more: this case has nuances from here 'till Tuesday.

We look to The Times for this sort of intensely focused, clear-headed scrutiny of the vital issues of the day: you know, like those W.M.D.'s, etc.

One day, god willing, the truth will out. One day...
Although She Wrote What She Knew, She Says She Isn't What She Wrote [NYT]
Sittenfeld: Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen