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Books matching: unreliable first person narrators

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Showing 1 - 10 of 51 
  1. #1

    Dom Casmurro by Machado de Assis
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    Dom Casmurro by Machado de Assis is a first-person narrative that delves into the life of Bento Santiago, who reminisces about his youth, friendships, romantic life, and family relationships. The book explores themes of love, betrayal, and jealousy through the lens of Bento's experiences with his childhood sweetheart, Capitu. Written in a unique style that blends elements of realism and metafiction, the novel captivates readers with its engaging characters and intricate storytelling. As the story unfolds, Bento grapples with the question of whether Capitu was unfaithful to him, leaving readers to draw their own conclusions about the truth of the matter.

    When Dom Casmurro, sometimes rendered as ‘Lord Taciturn’, was first published in Paris in 1899, Machado de Assis was already established as Brazil’s foremost man of letters. He had written six novels,...

  2. #2
    Rule 34
    Book 2 in the series:Halting State

    Rule 34 - Halting State by Charles Stross
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    In "Rule 34" by Charles Stross, readers are taken on a journey through a near future world filled with internet crime, social networks, financial shenanigans, and a mix of familiar and strange elements. The story follows a group of characters, including a cop, criminals, and law enforcement personnel, as they navigate a wave of bizarre deaths among spammers. The writing style, with multiple points of view all in the second person, adds an unusual and immersive layer to the narrative, creating an information overload feel reminiscent of a Stross story.

    The book delves into themes of technology, crime, and the impact of the internet on society, all while maintaining a sense of dark humor and suspense. Stross skillfully weaves together intricate worldbuilding, dry wit, and a plot filled with unexpected twists, making "Rule 34" a thought-provoking and engaging read for fans of near-future science fiction and police procedurals.

    You don’t usually sit in on the West End control centre, directing constables to shoplifting scenes and chasing hit-and-run cyclists. Nominally you’re in charge of the Rule 34 Squad: the booby-prize t...

  3. #3
    Annihilation
    Book 1 in the series:Southern Reach

    Annihilation - Southern Reach by Jeff VanderMeer
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    'Annihilation' by Jeff VanderMeer is a mysterious and eerie novel set in a landscape undergoing a transformation due to an outside agent, reminiscent of the Strugatsky brothers' work. The story follows the protagonist, a biologist, as part of an expedition into Area X, a zone being altered by something completely alien, leading to rapid disintegration of their mission and inevitable eerie encounters. The narrative style is described as straddling the line between science fiction and horror, with an unreliable narrator providing a vague description of Area X, leaving more questions than answers.

    The tower, which was not supposed to be there, plunges into the earth in a place just before the black pine forest begins to give way to swamp and then the reeds and wind-gnarled trees of the marsh fl...

  4. #4

    The Book of Sand by Jorge Luis Borges, Norman Thomas di Giovanni
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    The Book of Sand by Jorge Luis Borges is a collection of surreal short stories that explore the concept of time and being. The stories delve into themes such as books and libraries, nameless strangers, intersections of the past and present, bards and skalds, Christianity's pagan roots, architecture, mathematics, and unreliable first-person narrators. Each story in the collection shares a reflective and somber tone, often leading to a sense of resignation in the face of the inscrutable universe. The title story, "The Book of Sand," tells the tale of a man who encounters a mysterious book with infinite pages, leading to a series of philosophical questions and a sense of being trapped by its endlessness.


  5. #5

    Widespread Panic by James Ellroy
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    Widespread Panic by James Ellroy is a fast-paced novel set in 1950s Hollywood, following the story of Freddy Otash, a corrupt cop turned private investigator who delves into the dark underbelly of the city while working for scandal magazines. The book is filled with salacious gossip about movie stars, scandals, and sleaze, all narrated in a compressed, intense writing style that reads like a lush prose poem. Ellroy's unique language and alliteration bring the postwar Los Angeles setting to life, intertwining real-life historical figures with fictional characters, creating a vivid portrayal of a world filled with secrets, crimes, and personal struggles.

    The narrative of Widespread Panic revolves around Otash's quest to solve mysterious murders of women he knew personally, all while dealing with his own desires and conflicts. The book's high concept nature, with Otash stuck in purgatory and forced to confess his dreams and sins, adds a layer of complexity to the story. Ellroy's masterful historicity and verbal artistry shine through the book, making it a challenging yet rewarding read for fans of crime fiction and historical novels.


  6. #6

    Grimscribe: His Lives and Works by Thomas Ligotti
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    "Grimscribe: His Lives and Works" by Thomas Ligotti is a collection of macabre and eerie short stories that delve into the depths of horror and existential dread. The writing style is described as intelligent, lovely, and engaging, with intricate narratives that explore dark philosophical views and challenge traditional horror fiction. The stories in the collection touch on themes such as the mysteries of forgotten dreams, the horrors lurking beneath the surface of reality, and the existential angst of human existence.

    My INTEREST IN THE TOWN OF Mirocaw was first aroused when I heard that an annual festival was held there which promised to include, to some extent, the participation of clowns among its other elements...

  7. #7

    American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld
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    'American Wife' by Curtis Sittenfeld is a fictionalized account loosely based on the life of Laura Bush. The book follows the life of Alice Blackwell Lindgren, from her childhood to her time as the First Lady, divided into chapters focusing on different periods of her life. The narrative delves into the complexities of Alice's marriage, her personal struggles, and the decisions she makes, offering insights into her character and motivations.

    The book is praised for its engaging storytelling and compelling exploration of Alice's life. Readers appreciate the detailed depiction of Alice's journey, from her high school tragedy to her time in the White House. The author, Curtis Sittenfeld, is commended for creating a fully realized protagonist and weaving a narrative that captivates readers with its exploration of personal growth, relationships, and the challenges of being in the public eye.

    IN 1954, THE summer before I entered third grade, my grandmother mistook Andrew Imhof for a girl. I’d accompanied my grandmother to the grocery store—that morning, while reading a novel that mentioned...

  8. #8
    We Were Liars
    Book 1 in the series:We Were Liars

    We Were Liars - We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
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    'We Were Liars' by E. Lockhart is a story about a privileged family, the Sinclairs, who spend their summers on a private island off the coast of Massachusetts. The book follows Cadence, one of the Sinclair grandchildren, as she returns to the island after a traumatic accident during the summer of fifteen, trying to recover her memories. The plot revolves around the mystery of what happened to Cadence and her friends, known as the Liars, during that fateful summer. The writing style is described as beautifully written, haunting, and with a twist that keeps readers engaged until the end.

    The novel is a coming-of-age story with elements of privilege, family dysfunction, love, friendship, and secrets. The narrative unfolds delicately, revealing the story bit by bit as Cadence remembers the events surrounding her accident. The book delves into themes of race, power, greed, and features a shocking twist ending that catches readers by surprise, making it a captivating and heartbreaking read.

    Dad was a middling-successful professor of military history. Back then I adored him. He wore tweed jackets. He was gaunt. He drank milky tea. He was fond of board games and let me win, fond of boats a...

  9. #9

    Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
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    'Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine' by Gail Honeyman is a novel that delves into the life of Eleanor Oliphant, a socially isolated and awkward office worker with a traumatic past. The story follows Eleanor as she navigates through her daily routines, forming unexpected friendships, confronting her past, and gradually undergoing a transformation towards self-discovery and healing. The narrative style provides insights into Eleanor's quirky and complex personality, showcasing her struggles, growth, and interactions with those around her.

    The book combines elements of humor, poignancy, and personal triumph as it unravels Eleanor's journey towards overcoming her deep sense of loneliness and guilt. Through subtle storytelling and engaging character development, the author paints a vivid picture of Eleanor's life, highlighting the power of small acts of kindness, the importance of human connection, and the themes of resilience and hope that resonate throughout the novel.

    It’s definitely a two-tier system in the office; the creatives are the film stars, the rest of us merely supporting artists. You can tell by looking at us which category we fall into. To be fair, part...

  10. #10

    After Midnight by Richard Laymon
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    After Midnight follows the story of Alice, a woman who finds herself in a series of unfortunate events starting from a simple mistake that escalates into a killing spree. The plot is fast-moving and filled with intrigue, dark secrets, and unexpected twists, keeping the reader engaged and wondering about the outcome. The book is written in a captivating and entertaining manner, with a mix of violence, adult themes, and a complex protagonist that adds depth to the story.

    I’ve already explained, my name is Alice (but not really). I was twenty-six years old when all this took place last summer, and living in a comfortable little room over the garage of my best friend’s ...

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