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Elba Kramer: The True Autobiography of a Pathological Liar
Elba Kramer tells the story of his first seventeen years the only way he knows through a mask. From a childhood spent dodging the heavy truths of small-town America to the pivotal moment he dropped out, became a father, and sought refuge in the military—this is a life lived in the blur between memory and invention.
Written as an autobiographical novel, this story reaches for an emotional honesty that only a pseudonym could provide. It is a memoir built on a that sometimes, we have to lie about our names to tell the truth about our lives.
Told in a voice that’s by turns funny, furious, and disarmingly tender, Elba Kramer invites you to wander the landscape of a jagged youth. It is a story where every exaggeration hides a secret, and every truth has teeth.
A Note from the Author: I wrote this book under the name Elba Kramer because I found it impossible to tell the story as myself. While the name on the cover is a fabrication, the experiences within—from birth to my seventeenth year—are 97% true. This is the story of how I became a man, a father, an airman, an officer, and a writer... told through the only lens that allowed me to be completely honest. It is a confession disguised as a lie.
#literaryfiction #literature #contemporaryfiction #autofiction #memoir
Written as an autobiographical novel, this story reaches for an emotional honesty that only a pseudonym could provide. It is a memoir built on a that sometimes, we have to lie about our names to tell the truth about our lives.
Told in a voice that’s by turns funny, furious, and disarmingly tender, Elba Kramer invites you to wander the landscape of a jagged youth. It is a story where every exaggeration hides a secret, and every truth has teeth.
A Note from the Author: I wrote this book under the name Elba Kramer because I found it impossible to tell the story as myself. While the name on the cover is a fabrication, the experiences within—from birth to my seventeenth year—are 97% true. This is the story of how I became a man, a father, an airman, an officer, and a writer... told through the only lens that allowed me to be completely honest. It is a confession disguised as a lie.
#literaryfiction #literature #contemporaryfiction #autofiction #memoir
179 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 29, 2025
969 people want to read
About the author
Steve Goldsmith
10 books31 followersSteveG has lived several lives: military brat, high school dropout, Air Force tech, Silicon Valley start up survivor, math teacher, art gallery owner, flower shop co conspirator, and now caretaker of a botanical garden, butterfly sanctuary, and animal rescue center in Costa Rica.
Somewhere along the way, he started writing—and never stopped.
His fiction blends myth, theology, memory, and mischief, moving across genres with the enthusiasm of someone who never learned the rules.
He is the author of Elba Kramer, The Last Heretic, Dear Dairy, Forty Two Flash Fever Dreams, The Infernal Twins Cycle, and The Old One and The Hunger.
He writes during his endless procession of seven day weekends, accompanied by a happy dog, unreliable Wi Fi, and the occasional tropical absurdity.
It’s working so far.
Somewhere along the way, he started writing—and never stopped.
His fiction blends myth, theology, memory, and mischief, moving across genres with the enthusiasm of someone who never learned the rules.
He is the author of Elba Kramer, The Last Heretic, Dear Dairy, Forty Two Flash Fever Dreams, The Infernal Twins Cycle, and The Old One and The Hunger.
He writes during his endless procession of seven day weekends, accompanied by a happy dog, unreliable Wi Fi, and the occasional tropical absurdity.
It’s working so far.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 16, 2026
‘Elba Kramer: The True Autobiography of a Pathological Liar’ by Steve Goldsmith is one of the most unusual, unsettling, & strangely captivating books I have read in a long time. It is not merely a memoir. It is not merely a confession. It is not even a conventional autobiography. It is a book that begins by looking you straight in the eye and saying -
‘I am a liar. Come lie with me.’ (SAVAGE!)
And then it proceeds to do something surprisingly brave—it tells the truth in a way that only a liar could tell it.
From the prologue itself, Elba defines his lies as ‘organic lies’—lies that begin with a seed of truth & grow into a forest of deception. This framing is not a gimmick. It is the philosophical & emotional foundation of the entire book. The narrator admits that his lies spill out naturally, without planning, & that he has ‘never come across a truth that didn’t need improvement.’
But here is what makes this book compelling - the author makes it very clear that this is not simply a story about dishonesty. It is a story about survival. WOW!
That line alone made me pause.
Because in that one sentence, the author tells us exactly what this book is going to do - it will not lecture the reader about morality. It will show the reader the psychological architecture of a damaged childhood. Fantastic, compelling, brilliant – but psychologically confronting – powerful stuff happening here! Steve you silly man – what were you doing hiding this book from me! PLEASE READ THIS BOOK PEOPLE!
One of the most distinctive features of this book is the voice called ‘Elder Elba.’ Elder Elba is not merely a narrator. He is a watcher, a shadow, a truth-teller & a conscience. He interrupts Elba’s storytelling to correct him, mock him, or expose the lie beneath the lie. The Dramatis Personae introduces Elder Elba as someone who ‘remembers every dodge’ & ‘speaks when the lies get loud.’ And this narrative device is brilliant. Because it creates an internal courtroom - Elba speaks, Elder Elba cross-examines. WOW! Steve! I’m going to catch you man – why did you hide this brilliant gem from me dude!? I’m going to catch you wherever you are & hug you man!
This makes the reading experience both entertaining & deeply sad—because the reader begins to understand that Elba is not simply a man who lies for pleasure. He is a man who lies because his childhood taught him that truth was unsafe.
The childhood described in this book is harsh. The writing here is darkly humorous, but the humour is not lighthearted. It is survival humour. The kind of humour that children develop when crying does not help, & honesty makes things worse.
One of the most touching sections early in the book is Elba’s struggle in school—his dyslexia, headaches, & the moment he meets Miss Hall, a teacher who changes his entire self-concept. Miss Hall does not pity him. She sees him. She even tells him he is not impaired, but gifted.
As a teacher myself, I found that portion deeply moving. Because many children are not failing due to stupidity—they are failing because nobody has found the key to their learning. And when a teacher does find that key, it can become the first real miracle in a child’s life.
Later, Elder Elba notes that Elba eventually earns a Master of Education degree and becomes a middle school teacher, using his backward-reading trick to entertain & inspire students—encouraging them to find their own natural gifts. That arc—from damaged child to teacher—was one of the most unexpectedly beautiful aspects of the book. STEVE – you need a bear hug from me buddy! I WANT YOU TO SHOVE THIS BOOK INTO PEOPLE’S FACES OR I WILL TURN INTO A BEAR BY THE END OF THIS MONTH! Officially the best book written by Steve Goldsmith, period!
But the book does not romanticize growth. It does not claim Elba ‘overcame everything.’ Instead, it shows something far more realistic - that childhood wounds do not vanish; they mutate into adult patterns. Elba’s ‘powers’ become his kryptonite. Elder Elba even comments on Elba’s early development of self-sabotage—how it sharpens across the years.
The ‘Piggy’ narrative here in this book is both hilarious and bitter. Even a small detail—like noticing his stepmother smokes the same cigarette brand as his mother—becomes a psychological battlefield for the author as a kid & then eventually for the reader also. For this ‘Piggy’ part you will want to not only give a bear hug to Steve but also kiss him – repeatedly – chaste empathetic kisses meant for a genius writer AKA Steve Goldsmith! Steve, I’ve going to finish you because you hid this book – this diamond from me!
And this is what this book does best - it shows how trauma makes children hyper-aware, hyper-vigilant, and intensely observant—because their survival depends on reading danger before danger announces itself. Bravo-Bravo- Bravo & so TRUE!
The book is also peppered with sharp, unforgettable micro-lines from Elder Elba – please don’t miss them, savour them. These interjections are not just clever. They feel like hard-earned life philosophy. Soul-curry for anyone’s bleeding soul. Like mine! I am sure like most of you readers out there too! Buy the book! NOW!
There are moments where the narration is crude, shocking, & emotionally raw. The book contains strong language, disturbing childhood incidents, & an almost ruthless honesty about cruelty—both received and inflicted. This is not a ‘pretty memoir.’
It is a scarred memoir.
But that is why it works.
Because it refuses to perform virtue.
It refuses to present the narrator as innocent, noble, or morally tidy. It shows him as what trauma often produces - a person who becomes both victim and saboteur, both survivor and troublemaker. And that is what makes stellar writing! Brillant – masterpiece STEVE!
Because the book leaves the reader in the exact emotional space the book intends - entertained, disturbed, reflective, and strangely moved.
‘Elba Kramer’ is a psychologically fascinating memoir about trauma, identity, & the lies we tell to survive. It is written with sharp humour, brutal honesty, & an inventive narrative structure through the ‘Elder Elba’ voice. This is not a book for readers who want comfort—but it is absolutely a book for readers who want truth, even when truth comes wearing a liar’s mask.
Steve gets a resounding 5 stars from me, bear hugs & chaste sisterly kisses galore! I feel your pain brother! My mother & father were pieces of work too. They were meant for each other, but I had rather they had used the condom or Pill often. This couple did not need a kid - & sadly many couples out there should not have kids, it isn’t fair on the kids. It was not easy for most of us out there even now when we are not kids anymore.
If you still feel this way & want some soul curry on the same which empowers you with what you already have – READ THIS BOOK BY STEVE GOLDSMITH! Genius in the flesh is our Steve! Read him, love him & rise above your pain.
‘I am a liar. Come lie with me.’ (SAVAGE!)
And then it proceeds to do something surprisingly brave—it tells the truth in a way that only a liar could tell it.
From the prologue itself, Elba defines his lies as ‘organic lies’—lies that begin with a seed of truth & grow into a forest of deception. This framing is not a gimmick. It is the philosophical & emotional foundation of the entire book. The narrator admits that his lies spill out naturally, without planning, & that he has ‘never come across a truth that didn’t need improvement.’
But here is what makes this book compelling - the author makes it very clear that this is not simply a story about dishonesty. It is a story about survival. WOW!
That line alone made me pause.
Because in that one sentence, the author tells us exactly what this book is going to do - it will not lecture the reader about morality. It will show the reader the psychological architecture of a damaged childhood. Fantastic, compelling, brilliant – but psychologically confronting – powerful stuff happening here! Steve you silly man – what were you doing hiding this book from me! PLEASE READ THIS BOOK PEOPLE!
One of the most distinctive features of this book is the voice called ‘Elder Elba.’ Elder Elba is not merely a narrator. He is a watcher, a shadow, a truth-teller & a conscience. He interrupts Elba’s storytelling to correct him, mock him, or expose the lie beneath the lie. The Dramatis Personae introduces Elder Elba as someone who ‘remembers every dodge’ & ‘speaks when the lies get loud.’ And this narrative device is brilliant. Because it creates an internal courtroom - Elba speaks, Elder Elba cross-examines. WOW! Steve! I’m going to catch you man – why did you hide this brilliant gem from me dude!? I’m going to catch you wherever you are & hug you man!
This makes the reading experience both entertaining & deeply sad—because the reader begins to understand that Elba is not simply a man who lies for pleasure. He is a man who lies because his childhood taught him that truth was unsafe.
The childhood described in this book is harsh. The writing here is darkly humorous, but the humour is not lighthearted. It is survival humour. The kind of humour that children develop when crying does not help, & honesty makes things worse.
One of the most touching sections early in the book is Elba’s struggle in school—his dyslexia, headaches, & the moment he meets Miss Hall, a teacher who changes his entire self-concept. Miss Hall does not pity him. She sees him. She even tells him he is not impaired, but gifted.
As a teacher myself, I found that portion deeply moving. Because many children are not failing due to stupidity—they are failing because nobody has found the key to their learning. And when a teacher does find that key, it can become the first real miracle in a child’s life.
Later, Elder Elba notes that Elba eventually earns a Master of Education degree and becomes a middle school teacher, using his backward-reading trick to entertain & inspire students—encouraging them to find their own natural gifts. That arc—from damaged child to teacher—was one of the most unexpectedly beautiful aspects of the book. STEVE – you need a bear hug from me buddy! I WANT YOU TO SHOVE THIS BOOK INTO PEOPLE’S FACES OR I WILL TURN INTO A BEAR BY THE END OF THIS MONTH! Officially the best book written by Steve Goldsmith, period!
But the book does not romanticize growth. It does not claim Elba ‘overcame everything.’ Instead, it shows something far more realistic - that childhood wounds do not vanish; they mutate into adult patterns. Elba’s ‘powers’ become his kryptonite. Elder Elba even comments on Elba’s early development of self-sabotage—how it sharpens across the years.
The ‘Piggy’ narrative here in this book is both hilarious and bitter. Even a small detail—like noticing his stepmother smokes the same cigarette brand as his mother—becomes a psychological battlefield for the author as a kid & then eventually for the reader also. For this ‘Piggy’ part you will want to not only give a bear hug to Steve but also kiss him – repeatedly – chaste empathetic kisses meant for a genius writer AKA Steve Goldsmith! Steve, I’ve going to finish you because you hid this book – this diamond from me!
And this is what this book does best - it shows how trauma makes children hyper-aware, hyper-vigilant, and intensely observant—because their survival depends on reading danger before danger announces itself. Bravo-Bravo- Bravo & so TRUE!
The book is also peppered with sharp, unforgettable micro-lines from Elder Elba – please don’t miss them, savour them. These interjections are not just clever. They feel like hard-earned life philosophy. Soul-curry for anyone’s bleeding soul. Like mine! I am sure like most of you readers out there too! Buy the book! NOW!
There are moments where the narration is crude, shocking, & emotionally raw. The book contains strong language, disturbing childhood incidents, & an almost ruthless honesty about cruelty—both received and inflicted. This is not a ‘pretty memoir.’
It is a scarred memoir.
But that is why it works.
Because it refuses to perform virtue.
It refuses to present the narrator as innocent, noble, or morally tidy. It shows him as what trauma often produces - a person who becomes both victim and saboteur, both survivor and troublemaker. And that is what makes stellar writing! Brillant – masterpiece STEVE!
Because the book leaves the reader in the exact emotional space the book intends - entertained, disturbed, reflective, and strangely moved.
‘Elba Kramer’ is a psychologically fascinating memoir about trauma, identity, & the lies we tell to survive. It is written with sharp humour, brutal honesty, & an inventive narrative structure through the ‘Elder Elba’ voice. This is not a book for readers who want comfort—but it is absolutely a book for readers who want truth, even when truth comes wearing a liar’s mask.
Steve gets a resounding 5 stars from me, bear hugs & chaste sisterly kisses galore! I feel your pain brother! My mother & father were pieces of work too. They were meant for each other, but I had rather they had used the condom or Pill often. This couple did not need a kid - & sadly many couples out there should not have kids, it isn’t fair on the kids. It was not easy for most of us out there even now when we are not kids anymore.
If you still feel this way & want some soul curry on the same which empowers you with what you already have – READ THIS BOOK BY STEVE GOLDSMITH! Genius in the flesh is our Steve! Read him, love him & rise above your pain.
January 18, 2026
Elba Kramer: The true autobiography of a pathological liar by Steve Goldsmith is an unconventional read that ignores the established rules of storytelling. I started off thinking it was nothing more than a collection of crazy rantings. A little into the book, I burst into uncontrollable laughter. It was then that I realised that the author is gifted with an extraordinary dry wit. He uses this gift effectively in what he freely admits is his own biography. For one who claims to be a pathological liar, the author tells his story with raw honesty. But this is not a mere satirical story. It is actually a story about how brain power and tenacity can overcome obstacles. By the finish, I judged the autobiography to be a highly original work written by a writer with a fertile imagination. If you want a good laugh, try this.
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January 19, 2026I can hear my Mom right now, 'if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.'... Yet, she also emphasized that I 'tell the truth.'... Although my Mom's words may seem a contradiction, "Elba Kramer" reminds me of that Kris Kristofferson tune about Johnny Cash, "He's a walking contradiction, partly truth and partly fiction."... How much of "Elba Kramer" is truth, how much is fiction, only the author may truly knows. Regardless, it's a light-hearted, witty tale of a "Holden Caulfield" type character (and what a character he is), juiced. Yet, it has those underpinnings of depth and sadness too. With the very title, "Elba Kramer: The True Autobiography of a Pathological Liar", the reader knows they're in for a ride. And, what an adventure it is. The Elder Elba keeps the younger Elba in check, sort of, by fact-checking many of the younger Elba's claims... Very creative, this Elder Kramer creation... I don't rate books, as that implies a judgement (in my opinion), but with my Mom's ringing voice in my ears, I would strongly recommend this work to anyone, although it's probably more suited to the male audience... "Elba Kramer" should be a New York Times best-seller. It's that well crafted.
February 10, 2026
“Elba Kramer: The True Autobiography of a Pathological Liar” follows Elba Kramer’s life somewhere along ‘64 to ‘76, with his older self, Elder Elba, appearing throughout the story. Told as an autobiography, the novel traces Elba’s journey under multiple names, ultimately returning to Elba Kramer. It covers a wide range of experiences—ordinary daily life, family drama, domestic moments, and at times, what feels like unfiltered personal musings. Historical events are also part of Kramer’s stories, and are presented in interesting ways. The humor stood out: dark, dry, and deeply sarcastic, often mixed with pain. Elder Elba’s italicized interruptions became something I looked forward to, offering commentary(explanations) that felt both sarcastic and unsettlingly truthful. His voice clearly reflects years of rationalizing and survival.
At the same time, the novel presents how the human mind learns to cope with circumstances, particularly during youth—those formative years when adulthood feels new, curiosity is relentless, and experiences leave lasting marks. Spanning from elementary school through high school and early military years, the narrative unfolds slowly. As the story progresses, the blending of truth and lies becomes increasingly uncomfortable, making them hard to separate—after all, both come from the same person.
Before reading this book, I interpreted the title in simple terms as ‘a memoir where truth is uncertain’ or ‘a self-story mixed with lies.’ Though far outside my usual genre, this novel was intriguing. It’s a slow read that turns into a memoir where truth is uncertain, blending facts, lies, and exaggerations. If you enjoy personal stories, dark and dry humor, and exploring how someone navigates life under complicated circumstances, I think this novel is worth a chance.
“Elba believed in the idea that things happen for a reason. He later learned that this reasoning was wrong. Things happen because they... happen. It’s as simple as that.”
At the same time, the novel presents how the human mind learns to cope with circumstances, particularly during youth—those formative years when adulthood feels new, curiosity is relentless, and experiences leave lasting marks. Spanning from elementary school through high school and early military years, the narrative unfolds slowly. As the story progresses, the blending of truth and lies becomes increasingly uncomfortable, making them hard to separate—after all, both come from the same person.
Before reading this book, I interpreted the title in simple terms as ‘a memoir where truth is uncertain’ or ‘a self-story mixed with lies.’ Though far outside my usual genre, this novel was intriguing. It’s a slow read that turns into a memoir where truth is uncertain, blending facts, lies, and exaggerations. If you enjoy personal stories, dark and dry humor, and exploring how someone navigates life under complicated circumstances, I think this novel is worth a chance.
“Elba believed in the idea that things happen for a reason. He later learned that this reasoning was wrong. Things happen because they... happen. It’s as simple as that.”
December 16, 2025
unlike anything I’ve read before
I wasn’t sure what to expect going in, and that uncertainty ended up being part of the experience. The book moves in a way that feels loose but intentional, letting moments unfold without forcing them into neat conclusions. I found myself reading slowly, not because it dragged, but because it invited you to sit with what was being said.
What stayed with me most was how imperfect and unsettled everything felt—in a very human way. It doesn’t try to win you over or explain itself, and that restraint works in its favor. By the end, I felt like I’d been given pieces rather than answers, and somehow that made the story feel more honest and memorable.
I wasn’t sure what to expect going in, and that uncertainty ended up being part of the experience. The book moves in a way that feels loose but intentional, letting moments unfold without forcing them into neat conclusions. I found myself reading slowly, not because it dragged, but because it invited you to sit with what was being said.
What stayed with me most was how imperfect and unsettled everything felt—in a very human way. It doesn’t try to win you over or explain itself, and that restraint works in its favor. By the end, I felt like I’d been given pieces rather than answers, and somehow that made the story feel more honest and memorable.
February 23, 2026
I just finished Elba Kramer: The True Autobiography of a Pathological Liar, and I want to sincerely commend you for such a bold and captivating work. The psychological depth and raw honesty in the storytelling made the experience both unsettling and fascinating in the best way.
Your ability to explore the complexities of truth, deception, and identity felt incredibly authentic and thought-provoking. The narrative voice was powerful, and it kept me engaged from beginning to end.
Thank you for sharing such a daring and memorable story. It truly left an impression on me.
Your ability to explore the complexities of truth, deception, and identity felt incredibly authentic and thought-provoking. The narrative voice was powerful, and it kept me engaged from beginning to end.
Thank you for sharing such a daring and memorable story. It truly left an impression on me.
December 29, 2025
A crazy, unconventional, soul-laid-bare collection of memories, though some may be imagined. There's humor and downright shock in this satirical book. Elba seems somewhat akin to Forest Gump, and the events of the sixties and seventies, along with the mentions of the historical figures of that time, make this book interesting. If you want to have a good laugh and still be made to think, this is your book. I enjoyed it overall, despite absurdities.
December 12, 2025
A darkly funny and sharply compelling memoir that blurs truth and fiction, it pulls you into Elba Kramer’s unreliable world—where every confession cuts deep and every lie reveals something real. A brilliant, unsettling journey through memory, myth, and the secrets we tell ourselves.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews