True Story?

Unless you’re past forty and a woman you may not be able to identify with the nostalgia I share with some women who grew up in the 50's, 60's or 70's and, after hitting their teenage years, hid themselves away in their bedrooms to read their Mom’s subscription of True Story Magazine. I’ve come to the conclusion that True Story Magazine, in those years, might have been considered a female version of Playboy, with the omission of pornographic persuasions and illustrations.

True Story’s most indiscreet pictures were, and are, basically stormy or dramatic scenes of lovers, steamy kisses or something in the way of a romantic presentation within the confines of a magazine. What makes True Story different from most other magazines is its complete abandon from both literary sensitivity and socially acceptable narratives. True Story delves deep into the sensational life stories of those who care to share their tales of crisis, woes and whims. I might even wonder if the most radical of talk shows were first inspired by the range of livid, tragic and true details secreted within these pages. This magazine might be compared to a woman’s journal of their most extraordinary adventures in living or, quite possibly, a published soap opera based on truths uncovered by real people in real life.

Within the pages of True Story expect to be met with captivating romance, incurable disease, spiritual enlightenment, addiction, depression, alcoholism, repression, adultery, death, murder, revenge, pregnancy, adoption, sibling rivalry, child molestation, rape, homelessness, prison and nearly any conceivable attempt to bring to life the various authors personal explorations through their own ideas, inspirations and convictions. True Story, although not literary by any means, is assuredly a classic in that it has made its way from the magazine racks into the lives of women for as many years as I can remember. Personally, I would call this magazine a classic without class.

As I headed toward the cash register at one of the local stores a couple of weeks ago I noticed November 2007's issue of TRUE STORY sitting in the magazine rack. Sentimentality overrode my desire to be frugal and I hesitated before picking up a copy and carrying to the register with my other items. The cashier smiled as we both recollected about the “good old days” when girls hurried to read their Mom’s True Story before she noticed it was missing. Its hard to believe I’m past the point where these stories provide any true enthusiasm for me. Somewhere along the way, though, I became more fanatical over the latest issue of Guideposts than I could ever again be over True Story.

This month’s issue, Vol. 156 No.11, shares a variety of titles with readers. Some of these include Keeping the Home Fires Burning, Thanksgiving? No, Thanks!, Girl on the Run, Old Enough to Be His Mother, Mommy Dearest, The Ugly Duckling’s Swan Song and My Sister’s Keeper. A few of the columns and departments currently inside True Story include Mommy & Me, Food Glorious Food, My Visit From the Beyond and Miracle of Faith.

Despite this magazine’s willingness to share the most intimate details of women’s hearts and homes, True Story, like its subsidiaries (True Romance, True Confessions, etc.) is and has always been a secretive sort of publication. None of the titles within these pages are given bylines, although the publishers assure readers that these stories have been written in first person by the people who experienced the story. They really are TRUE stories? Your guess is as good of mine. I imagine some of them have probable cause, at the very least. The only portions of the magazine provide a writers byline are the columns & departments, which allow for the author’s name and state to be published with the writing, if so desired.

Advertisements, like much of the magazine itself, are reduced to the more shallow versions of what women want, expect, desire and can relate to. Dieting, Horoscopes, Psychics, Hot Singles.... There are a few ads for Book Clubs, Jewelry, Poetry and Self-Improvement as there are also some of the stories which truly are invaluable in snatching at heartstrings, encouraging dreams and enlivening faith in God. These are the parts of the magazine which reassure me that I wasn’t always being led astray when I read these magazines as a teenager. Actually, when I look at the past in comparison to the present, seeing the contrast, I can be certain that my teenage reading of True Story was pretty much on the innocent side.

Do I like True Story today? Its ok. It isn’t the magazine that it once was, even though it hasn’t actually changed tremendously. I suppose I’m the one who’s changed tremendously. Thank GOD!!! What I do like, mostly, is its capacity for bringing back those precious memories.

Thanks for Reading
© 2007 faithforever