Is it worth using Unreliable Narration in your stories?
One of the most powerful tools in an author’s arsenal is the ability to shape a reader’s perception of reality—only to twist that reality on its head. Unreliable narration is one of the most effective ways to do this, drawing readers into a story where the truth is never quite what it seems. When done well, it turns storytelling into an immersive puzzle, compelling readers to read between the lines, question what they’re being told, and uncover hidden truths. Unreliable narrators make for some of the most gripping and memorable characters, as their motives, biases, or even their grasp on reality keep readers guessing until the very end.
From psychological thrillers to literary classics, unreliable narration has long been used to create suspense, deepen character development, and deliver shocking twists. But how can you apply this technique to your own writing? In today’s blog, Ginger explores how to do just that by providing examples from popular books and movies, and the methods you can use to incorporate unreliable narration into your own writing.
“Even if readers claim that they ‘take it all with a grain of salt’, they do not really. They yearn to believe, and they believe, because believing is easier than disbelieving, and because anything which is written down is likely to be ‘true in a way’.”
Iris Murdoch, The Sea, the Sea
Last week I wrote a post about Colleen Hoover, a wildly successful romance author who began her career with a self-published book, Slammed. She’s since gone on to sell over 20 million copies of her books worldwide, and her 2016 novel It Ends With Us has just been adapted into a commercially successful Hollywood movie.
A master of complex and emotional storytelling, one of her best books is undoubtedly Verity, which tells the tale of a writer struggling with depression and mental illness, and leads the reader on a twisting narrative path by revealing that not everything he tells you can be believed. It’s an innovative use of a storytelling technique called “unreliable narration” which can enhance a story by forcing the reader to experience things from the perspective of a protagonist we can’t entirely trust.
Although Verity was a fantastic example of unreliable narration, Colleen Hoover is far from the first storyteller to embrace the technique. For over a century, unreliable narration has remained a compelling literary device that can add depth, intrigue, and complexity to storytelling.
By creating a narrator whose credibility is questionable, you invite readers to engage more critically with the narrative, making for an enriching reading experience as the reader tries to figure out what really happened.
This technique has been effectively used in literature, film, television, and even video games – and self-published authors could elevate their own writing by studying it. That’s why I’m focusing this week’s article on how to incorporate unreliable narration into your stories, with some famous examples you’re probably familiar with, some solid reasons to use it, and tips for implementing unreliable narration effectively in your own work.
And if you don’t like these tips? Well, don’t blame me! Perhaps I’m just an unreliable narrator myself!
Examples of Unreliable Narration in Popular Literature
The first time I remember recognizing unreliable narration as a storytelling technique was when I was reading the 1991 novel American Psycho – the story of narcissistic businessman Patrick Bateman, who shares his secret life as a serial killer with the reader.
We follow him as he describes slaughtering a number of people – but later in the book, we’re forced to question the protagonist’s version of events when he returns to the blood-splattered apartment he’s been operating out of to find it spotlessly clean and being prepared for sale by a realtor.
Did the owner of this luxury apartment keep Bateman’s activities secret? Cleaning up the dead bodies and blood so they wouldn’t lose resale value? Or had Patrick imagined his entire career as a killer? The reader never ends up being entirely sure, and that helps keep you thinking about the book long after you turned the final page.
It’s a great approach to engaging a reader – and with that as a starting point, here are some other famous examples of unreliable narration from popular literature (spoilers ahead!):
- The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger: My 16-year-old son and I read this book at the same time and had wildly different opinions about it. Holden Caulfield, the teenage protagonist, presents the world through a deeply subjective and often misleading lens. His biases, emotional turmoil, and selective recounting of events keep readers questioning the truth of his narrative. My son found him a relatable protagonist. I thought he was an obnoxious snot. It’s fascinating how unreliable narration triggered us to discuss our perspectives and bond over reading the same novel.
- Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn: This iconic thriller doubles down by employing dual unreliable narrators, Nick and Amy Dunne, whose conflicting accounts of their marriage and Amy’s disappearance keep readers guessing until the very end. It’s one of the books that established the modern twisty-turny thriller, and used the unreliable narrator trope to maximum effectiveness.
- Life of Pi by Yann Martel: The protagonist, Pi Patel, provides an account of his survival that blends reality with fantastical elements. The ambiguity leaves readers pondering the actual events and the reliability of his story. It gives the book a magical quality that transports the reader into Pi’s incredible adventures even if we’re not completely convinced by the veracity of them.
Examples from Film and Television
Many films and television series take their inspiration from books, and that includes embracing the trope of the unreliable narrator. Here are some of my favorite examples (spoilers ahead!).
- Fight Club (1999): The narrator of this brilliant and iconic movie, played with aplomb by Edward Norton, is revealed to be an unreliable narrator as the plot finally unfolds – hitting us with the shocking twist that Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt) has been a figment of the narrator’s imagination this entire time!.
- The Sixth Sense (1999): Another iconic movie from M. Night Shyamalan, the master of twist endings, hinges on the fact that the protagonist, Dr. Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis), is unaware of his own death, making his perspective unreliable. When we realize this at the end of the movie, everything falls into place – allowing us to follow a breadcrumb trail of clues Shyamalan sprinkled across the entire narrative..
- Mr. Robot: This brilliant television series frequently plays with unreliable narration through the protagonist, Elliot Alderson, who suffers from mental health issues and hallucinations, causing viewers to question what is real and what is fantasy.
Why Use Unreliable Narration?
Now that I’ve highlighted some iconic examples of unreliable narration, the question is whether or not it’s a technique you should experiment with. Here are some of the reasons you might want to try it:
- To Create Suspense and Mystery: By withholding or distorting facts, unreliable narrators can generate suspense, keeping readers intrigued as they try to uncover the truth and separate fantasy from reality.
- To Explore Complex Characters: An unreliable narrator allows deeper exploration of a character’s psyche, showcasing their flaws, biases, and motivations in a unique way. Having established that a narrator has trouble telling the truth, the reader is compelled to try and understand why.
- To Challenge Readers’ Perceptions: This technique encourages readers to question the narrative, think critically, and engage more actively with the story. Instead of a straight narrative, events become a series of clues that only work in combination with each other.
- To Reflect Themes of Subjectivity and Truth: Unreliable narration can highlight the subjective nature of truth, showing how personal perspectives shape reality. With the world becoming more and more polarized each day, unreliable narration offers an opportunity to see the world through a different pair of eyes, and develop empathy even for those who have very different values to our own.
- To Deliver Unexpected Twists: Unreliable narrators are perfect for stories with twists, as they can lead readers down one path before revealing a surprising truth. Sometimes this can come across as a bit of a gimmick, but when an author gets it right, it results in a story that stands the test of time (as demonstrated by the examples I cited above.)
Tips for Using Unreliable Narration Effectively
- Choose the Right Perspective:
- First-Person Narration: This perspective naturally lends itself to unreliable narration, as readers only see the world through the narrator’s eyes. This can enhance the intimacy and immediacy of the story while keeping the true nature of events ambiguous.
- Third-Person Limited: While less common, third-person limited can also be used for unreliable narration. This allows you to maintain some distance while still focusing on the protagonist’s perspective, subtly revealing their biases and limitations.
- Establish the Narrator’s Credibility Early: Set up your narrator’s reliability (or lack thereof) early on. This could be through contradictory statements, memory lapses, or overt biases. Give readers clues that the narrator’s account may not be entirely trustworthy.
- Use Consistent Inconsistencies: Ensure that the narrator’s inconsistencies are consistent throughout the story. This creates a coherent character while maintaining the unreliable elements.
- Provide Subtle Hints: Drop subtle clues throughout the narrative that allude to the unreliability of the narrator. This can be done through other characters’ reactions, discrepancies in the narrative, or hints at a larger truth.
- Balance the Reveal: Decide how and when to reveal the narrator’s unreliability. A gradual revelation can keep readers engaged, while a sudden twist can have a powerful impact. Ensure the timing enhances the story’s overall arc.
- Maintain Reader Engagement: Keep readers invested by creating a compelling narrator, even if they are unreliable. Their voice, personality, and unique perspective should draw readers in and make them care about the story.
- Layer the Truth: Consider layering multiple truths within your narrative. This allows readers to peel back layers and discover different facets of the story, making the reading experience richer and more rewarding.
Conclusion
Unreliable narration is a powerful tool that can elevate your storytelling, offering depth, complexity, and engagement to even a straightforward description of a series of events. While it requires careful planning and execution, mastering this technique can help you become a more versatile and skilled writer. It challenges both you and your readers to think critically, explore nuanced characters, and appreciate the multifaceted nature of truth.
As a self-published author, embracing unreliable narration can set your work apart from other books, creating memorable and thought-provoking stories that stick in the mind long after reading the words “The End”.
So, embrace the unreliable! Don’t be afraid to experiment and push the boundaries of traditional storytelling with a narrator who sees the world through their own biased lens. By doing so, you can captivate your audience and establish a unique voice in the competitive world of publishing.
Remember, every narrative is an opportunity to explore the complex layers of human experience – and unreliable narration is a powerful tool to do just that! It’s also a great way to spark conversation between readers – and with that in mind, let’s start a conversation right here.
What are your favorite examples of unreliable narration in film, television, or video games? Let me know in the comments section below!
Also apostolic first person perspective