What parts were true, and which were not? What is truth? What is literal truth, as opposed to literary truth?

No one 'enjoyed' the book, but everyone was fascinated by it. On one level was O'Brien's game-playing, teasing the reader with truth and tales. But there was also the attempt to explain the Vietnam experience, no not to explain, but to get the reader to feel it on a visceral level. (Ruth Ann, from the other book club, showed up, after reading the book on tape)