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I think because of our cynical nature Ryan Send a noteboard - 19/03/2010 06:58:05 AM
That when we go into a book, we want to trust the narrator to guide us through this new/strange world. However, I think that here and there an unreliable narrator, or even a misinformed one, is useful too, and can be fun.

Up to the point of Lord of Chaos fans of the WHeel of Time will remember that Stilling/Gentling could not be Healed. It was one of the truths of the world. Nynaeve Healing Logain is a memorable scene for me because we had the rug pulled out from under us, even with the heavy forshadowing leading up to it.

So yes, I think it is a good thing if the unreliable narator is done well, and not just used as a deus ex machina, by the author for potential mishaps.
The past is just that, the past. You can only truly live by looking to the future!
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Unreliable narrators: yay or nay? Or neigh? And if so, and you are a horse, how are you typing? - 12/03/2010 05:20:09 AM 775 Views
Re: Unreliable narrators: yay or nay? Or neigh? And if so, and you are a horse, how are you typing? - 12/03/2010 09:12:23 AM 593 Views
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Yes. - 17/03/2010 05:01:31 PM 589 Views
Re: Yes. - 17/03/2010 07:53:38 PM 480 Views
I don't mind either way. - 12/03/2010 10:18:03 AM 582 Views
Your face is an unreliable horse! - 12/03/2010 10:25:32 AM 586 Views
I think it's fairly logical that genre fiction doesn't employ it as often. - 12/03/2010 01:21:06 PM 749 Views
Well, isn't Erikson notable for his unreliable POVs? - 14/03/2010 12:57:25 AM 579 Views
Hm. Yeigh? - 12/03/2010 05:15:41 PM 645 Views
I like it when they are well written - 15/03/2010 08:44:02 AM 781 Views
Like anything else it is good when done right - 15/03/2010 10:32:48 PM 661 Views
I think because of our cynical nature - 19/03/2010 06:58:05 AM 551 Views

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