But apparently, Holocaust survivors aren't allowed to write novels based on autobiographic experiences
I would say apparently they should not.
When you start writing Fiction about a real tragedy , for the purpose of making $$. It devalues and debases what really occured.
Example:
"Titanic" Anyone! Whew boy! Wish I was there!
Historical fiction is dangerous especially when it is written by someone who experienced it and then writes a fiction that capitalizes and profits on that fact. Most of the ignorant masses will just take such fluff at face value and think it is the truth. Can you say " Saving Private Ryan"?. Do you think that is believe by many to BE HISTORY. Are you "happy" about that movie, being the expert you may be.
I can only imagine if someone made a film or wrote a book " based on historical events" that portrayed the Nazi's as the good guys using desperate means to save the world from some vast Jewish/Communist
conspiracy.
Lord help us, Mel Gibson can't make a film with the "WRONG POINT OF VIEW" even if it is "based on historical events" or "historical facts". depending on your religion.
But a I gather these same people who condone "Holocaust Novel" historical fiction, know better than to call the "New Testament" historical
fiction. Wouldn't that be something! Might as well just vote for Hitler.
Writing historical fiction or making movies about the Holocaust is dangerous because it in effect marres the real historical record, and in effect is nothing more than propaganda to brainwash the masses to a cause. When a "cause" or person uses or needs lies to support itself, the virtue of the underlying cause/reasons/events can be severly doubted.
The truth won't sell?
The truth is not enough?
Funny, it is for me.