Kierkegaard was as clever as a professional criminal in leaving a confusing trail—albeit including some tantalizing clues—for those scholarly detectives who he predicted would come sleuthing after him. As a result of his method of operation “the real Kierkegaard” is exceptionally elusive. Hypotheses compete to explain his extravagant behavior. Opinions vary as to how Kierkegaard was related to his pseudonyms. Even the work published under his own name is not free from the charge of wily posturing. And often the entries in his own private diary appear contrived.