How To Apply the "Unreliable Narrator" Technique

Yuri Arcurs

By ALCG Books

February 15, 2024

One powerful literary technique used to keep readers engaged is a device called the unreliable narrator. As characters that tend to challenge readers' perceptions, unreliable narrators distort facts, withhold information, or skew perspectives on events with the intention of generating mystery to keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Here's how to use the "unreliable narrator" technique.

Give your character selective memory.

Unreliable narrators might selectively remember or forget certain details according to their biases or motivations. One famous example is Humbert Humbert, the protagonist of Vladimir Nabokov's "Lolita," who manipulates his recollections to justify his actions.

Use ambiguous language to cast doubt on the narrator's reliability.

Amy Dunne, the protagonist of Gillian Flynn's "Gone Girl," writes contradictory diary entries that leave readers questioning her reliability as a narrator.

Leave gaps in the narrator's story.

Intentional gaps in the narrative can generate uncertainty and intrigue. In Kazuo Ishiguro's "The Remains of the Day," Stevens' stoic reticence leaves readers guessing about his true feelings and motivations, adding depth to the story.

Distort the narrator's perception of reality.

Unreliable narrators often lead readers to question the accuracy of their observations. In F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby," Nick Carraway's idealized perception of Jay Gatsby obscures the truth about his enigmatic neighbor, keeping readers guessing until the novel's dramatic conclusion.

The "unreliable narrator" technique is a great way to keep your story lingering in readers' minds long after they've turned the final page. Give it a try -- and let the team at ALCG Books know how it goes.

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