Book recommendation - unreliable MC

Elle. · Jul 20, 2018

Hi,

I am looking for some books to read in the style of Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl. Either with an unreliable MC or where the prey is actually the predator. I am looking more for upmarket/literary rather than commercial. Any suggestions?

Thanks

Arden · Jul 20, 2018

Interestingly, these two have also been turned into movies:
BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP by S.J. Watson
THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN by Paula Hawkins

Kjbartolotta · Jul 20, 2018

A LINE IN THE DARK by Malinda Lo. YA, but fits your request pretty well.

Elle. · Jul 20, 2018

Arden said:
Interestingly, these two have also been turned into movies:
BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP by S.J. Watson
THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN by Paula Hawkins

Thanks! I’ve already read Before I Go To Sleep, good one that fits the bill. On a side note, hated Girl On The Train.

Kjbartolotta said:
A LINE IN THE DARK by Malinda Lo. YA, but fits your request pretty well.

Nice, I’ll stick that on my list. Thanks

Sage · Jul 20, 2018

I always worry with this kind of thread that knowing the MC is unreliable will ruin the effect.

However, LIAR by Justine Larbalestier has an MC that tells you she’s a liar from the beginning. It’s also YA

Elle. · Jul 21, 2018

Sage said:
I always worry with this kind of thread that knowing the MC is unreliable will ruin the effect.

However, LIAR by Justine Larbalestier has an MC that tells you she’s a liar from the beginning. It’s also YA

I know what you mean but I don't necessarily see it this way. Realising early on what was going on with Amy in Gone Girl didn't stop me enjoying the read because it was well-executed and I wanted to see how far it would go.

Thanks for the recommendation.

Lakey · Jul 21, 2018

Lionel Shriver, We Need To Talk About Kevin is a chilling one.

Elle. · Jul 21, 2018

Lakey said:
Lionel Shriver, We Need To Talk About Kevin is a chilling one.

Thanks, yes I agree, chilling and quietly disturbing.

Lakey · Jul 22, 2018

Another that occurs to me in a somewhat different vein is Shirley Jackson, We Have Always Lived in the Castle. It’s a quick read and a master class in voice, too.

Elle. · Jul 22, 2018

Lakey said:
Another that occurs to me in a somewhat different vein is Shirley Jackson, We Have Always Lived in the Castle. It’s a quick read and a master class in voice, too.

That sounds intriguing — I'm definitely sticking that on my reading list. Thanks!

MarkEsq · Jul 22, 2018

HOLLOW MAN and the sequel, DOMINIC by Mark Pryor.

Elle. · Jul 25, 2018

MarkEsq said:
HOLLOW MAN and the sequel, DOMINIC by Mark Pryor.

Thanks!

Nuwanda · Jul 28, 2018

A Mind of Winter by Laura Kasischke is phenomenal!

writerfrenzy · Aug 3, 2018

I'm surprised no one's mentioned <i>The Fight Club</i> yet. Well, that's one.

There's Friend Request, by Laura Marshall too. I feel like telling you it's by an unreliable narrator does, as Sage said, take some of the thrill out of reading it, but it's a good one. There's a twist in the middle that was sort of confusing at first but I really liked it.

SandyH · Aug 4, 2018

What is MC? I have read on another thread too and sorry if it is dumb question?

starrystorm · Aug 4, 2018

MC is main character.

blacbird · Aug 4, 2018

A couple of oldies but goodies:

A Clockwork Orange, by Anthony Burgess
Flowers for Algernon, by Daniel Keyes (the original short packs more punch than does the later expanded novel, but both are good.)

caw

pdichellis · Aug 6, 2018

I don’t have a specific book recommendation, but ran across an online essay on types of unreliable narrators, with descriptions and examples (books and characters).

Ironically, the essay describes nine types of unreliable narrators but the comments section adds a couple more. So even an essay about unreliable narrators isn’t reliable! BTW, I found the essay while scouring the ‘net for items to link on my short mystery & crime fiction blog (see my signature line below), but you can read it here:

The 9 Types Of Unreliable Narrator

BlueTexas · Aug 14, 2018

Twist of Faith by Ellen Green.

neandermagnon · Aug 23, 2018

The Ice Twins - SK Tremayne

Book recommendation - unreliable MC

Elle.

Arden

Happy to be here!

Kjbartolotta

Potentially has/is dog

Elle.

Sage

Supreme Guessinator

Elle.

Lakey

professional dilettante

Elle.

Lakey

professional dilettante

Elle.

MarkEsq

Clever title pending.

Elle.

Nuwanda

writerfrenzy

SandyH

starrystorm

blacbird

pdichellis

Murder! You want fries with that?

BlueTexas

Back from self-exile land.

neandermagnon

Nolite timere, consilium callidum habeo!