Structure

Although Israel’s story is autobiographical, her focus is on her life of crime and what led to her decision to forge and steal valuable letters. For that reason, the book is structured much like a typical novel. Israel tells her story in a linear format beginning with exposition describing the way in which her career as a writer got off to a positive start. She moves on to describe what factors led up to her decision not to take a bribe but instead to write a biography about Lauder, a decision that she believes initiated her need to become a criminal.

The action begins to rise as Israel describes what she calls the first trimester of her crime spree, forging letters and selling these fake letters. The action rises more sharply when the dealers to whom Israel sells her forgeries begin to realize she is selling...