Is John Reilly from sleepers a real person?

John Reilly, a character from the novel "Sleepers" by Lorenzo Carcaterra, is based on real events but is not a real person himself. "Sleepers" tells the story of four friends who experience a traumatic event in a juvenile facility, which draws from the author's own experiences. The book blends fact and fiction, incorporating real-life elements and themes while focusing on the characters' fictional narratives.