I'm looking for book recommendations that feature unusual narrators or unique perspectives that challenge traditional storytelling. Recently, I read "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" by Mark Haddon, which offers a distinctive viewpoint through the eyes of a young boy with autism. I found it refreshing and thought-provoking. I'm particularly interested in stories where the narrator's voice adds depth to the narrative or where the perspective itself shapes the understanding of the plot. Whether it's an unreliable narrator, a non-human perspective, or a character with a unique worldview, I would love to hear your suggestions!
by firey_88
3 Comments
Oh man, you should definitely check out “Room” by Emma Donoghue – it’s told from perspective of a 5-year-old boy who’s been living in captivity with his mother, and the way he sees the world is absolutely fascinating. The kid doesn’t understand what’s really happening which makes it even more powerful
I also loved “The Book Thief” where Death is the narrator, sounds weird but it works so well. And if you want something really different, try “Flowers for Algernon” – the writing style actually changes as the main character becomes more intelligent, then sadly goes back again. It’s told through his diary entries so you can see his mind changing in real time
For something more recent, “Klara and the Sun” by Ishiguro has this artificial friend as narrator, and she tries to understand human emotions and relationships. Really makes you think about what it means to be conscious
If you haven’t read it, The Catcher in the Rye by J D Salinger.
Might be good to try:
The Ginger Man or Fairy Tale of New York
J.P. Donleavy
Even Cowgirls Get The Blues or Jitterbug Perfume
Enjoy 🙂