Real Fake Things: A Story of Performance, Fame, and Finding Myself

In Real Fake Things, two-time Survivor contestant Erik Reichenbach delivers a candid, funny, and deeply personal graphic memoir about reality television, identity, and the stories we tell ourselves in order to belong.

As a lifelong fan of Survivor, Erik believed the game represented adventure, merit, and the ultimate test of character. But after competing on two seasons of one of television's most iconic reality shows, he discovered a far more complicated reality. Part homage to Survivor, part visual memoir, and part coming-of-age story, Real Fake Things follows Erik from his childhood obsession with competition to his experiences as a castaway, and ultimately to a deeper understanding of himself. Along the way, he examines fame, family expectations, and authenticity.

Honest, insightful, and often surprisingly funny, Real Fake Things offers an individual look behind the curtain of reality television while exploring a universal question: what is truly real?

Perfect for fans of Survivor, reality television, memoirs, coming-of-age stories, and behind-the-scenes accounts of popular culture.