Beah's latest battle raises many questions

Recent reports that some facts in Ishmael Beah's memoir, A Long Way Gone, are being challenged concerns writers and readers everywhere.

The complexities of the situation are well-delineated on Ben Peek's blog and over at Booklist Online.

The suggestion that Beah may have been exploited by his publisher; that the Australian media has a history of calling out book liars; the distinction between journalist and memoirist; the accusation of misquotation; the uncomfortable debate about degrees of tragedy... And many other prickly concerns.

I'll reserve any judgment for now while the story unfolds. From what I've researched, though, The Australian is a formidable opponent, so Beah's battle will likely not be a cakewalk.