Did Olaf Olafsson, author of “The Journey Home”, plagiarize or paraphrase in tribute? Peter Delevett’s Wiretap column in the Mercury news had an unexpected writing critique last Friday. In it, Delevett describes the disturbing similarities between passages in Olafsson’s novel and M.F.K. Fisher‘s memoir “The Gastronomical Me.” Olafsson is upfront about how he borrowed certain scenes, using his own words, claiming it is a tribute to Fisher. He is vice chairman of Time Warner Digital Media, which is how this revelation landed amongst the usual tech news of the San Jose paper. Without having read the book, I should not make a judgement call myself, but the passage that is quoted in the paper (Fisher’s version versus Olafsson’s rewording) reads as if his reverence of the grand dame of food writing extended to believing she wouldn’t mind if he cribbed her life into his own creation. I wonder if he would have made such a leap of faith if she were still alive. Children’s book author Edward Eager pays tribute to his inspiration, E. Nesbitt, by mentioning her name in his books so readers will be lead to another treasure trove of tales. Uncredited lifting does nothing of the sort. Those in the know could perhaps be amused, but those who aren’t learn nothing. In fact they are at risk of believing something false.