There’s an upcoming issue of People magazine that will feature a cover story on rescued kidnapping victim Jaycee Dugard. The gist of the article, apparently, will be that despite all odds, Dugard and her family are coping remarkably well with their ordeal. And that is fantastic. However, the family has stated that they are cooperating with People “in an effort to control the story,” which is tremendously sad. These people went through the terrible ordeal of public family tragedy years ago, so they know probably better than anyone else that this is a story that would have been told with or without their blessing. (And don’t think I’m pointing fingers; I’m every bit as curious about the whole event as the next guy.) There's an entire discussion about non-fiction and the ownership of story to be had here, but I'm feeling a bit to ADHD for that right now. I guess I will say good for the Dugards for having the foresight to make sure this was done on their terms, but it still leaves me feeling somehow complicit.
