In 1955 the American writer William Gaddis published a book called The Recognitions, a fact that may seem to have little to do with replica handbags--except to people who are familiar with the contents of the book. The Recognitions is about a grim, spiritually inclined man who is also an artistic genius. He initially devotes his life to God, but drops out of his career of priesthood to become an art forger.

The man devotes himself exclusively to forging the works of 14th and 15th century Flemish masters. Why? Because of the sincerity of the spirituality that they evoke. The man's works are forgeries--yet, they are even more powerful and spiritually earnest than the originals, or, at least, as good. Hans Memling or Rogier van der Wieden were humble men, who would have been happy to have produced a work as good as one of the main character's forgeries. They are superior to the "originals."

The modern-day world of art collecting and so-called "culture," forever in search of authenticity, is "scammed" by the works of the moody art forger. People pay millions to possess these forged masterpieces--not because of their actual quality, but because of what their status as "originals" means to the world of art and culture. During the 20th century, Flemish paintings have become, essentially, status symbols. Yet, this hunt for status among the cultural elite has the aura of respectability and, even, "spirituality." Meanwhile, actual mystical Christianity is viewed with suspicion. Is this wrong? Isn't mystical Christianity itself just based on pagan myths? What is "real," even? What is truth, and what is falsehood?

The Recognitions posits that "authenticity" is, itself, a chimera, an illusion that, in the past, gave people justification for robbery and plunder (such as during The Crusades). In the modern age, it has become a hot commodity, and has given justification for people to indulge to the fullest in their vanity.

What does all this have to do with replica handbags? Now, the answer is quite clear. William Gaddis, with The Recognitions, paved the way for what many now consider "postmodern" literature. It has inspired other writers of large, unwieldy, complex postmodern novels brimming with erudition and facts, such as Thomas Pynchon and David Foster Wallace (who recently died).

Yet, despite the cultural impact of his work, William Gaddis did not make any money with his novels. Do you think that, if he wanted to, this cultural luminary would have been able to afford an expensive handbag from brands that get away with charging consumers thousands of dollars merely because of their name? Probably not. How about a fine, high-quality replica handbag that looks exactly the same. and is just as well-crafted, as the "originals" it is imitating?

Yes, one of the most "original" writers of the 20th century, would probably have bought a "knockoff" Louis Vuitton handbag or purse.