‘Act of family vengeance’: French defamation case highlights perils of writing autofiction

The defamation case against Desprairies underscores a significant cultural shift in how personal histories are navigated in literature. As autofiction gains popularity, authors are increasingly treading a fine line between artistic expression and the potential fallout with family members. This incident raises important questions about the ethical responsibilities of writers when drawing from their own lives and the implications of exposing familial secrets in public narratives.