(no subject)

[coraa]

I have a reason for this inquiry, which will be explained in the fullness of time!

I'm looking for suggestions of books with unreliable narrators where the narrator is female (besides Larbalestier's Liar, which I've already got in mind). I'd prefer speculative or historical fiction, but if you have a great example from another genre, by all means share it.

Secondarily, I'd love suggestions of books prominently featuring female liars (or con artists) regardless of whether they're unreliable narrators. Again, speculative or historical fiction preferred, but great examples from other genres would be useful too.

The books don't necessarily have to be good, for what it's worth.

(rachelmanija and sartorias and I tried to think of examples in the car, but with limited success.)

Comments

[paperclippy.livejournal.com]

I could use some more details . . . I think most female villains are liars, so I would guess any book with a female villain would fit the bill. Also, what does "unreliable narrator" mean?

[coraa.livejournal.com]

An unreliable narrator, as I define it, is the narrator of a book who is reporting the action of the book inaccurately, usually (but not always) for their own benefit. For example, Liar is told from the first-person point of view of a pathological liar, who lies to the audience as much as to the people around her.

[paperclippy.livejournal.com]

Hmmm . . . off the top of my head I can't think of any. Although in terms of female con artists, the book I was recently reading but didn't get very far in -- The Lies of Locke Lamora -- was implying that there had been a female member of their con-artist team who was missing. I don't know if she ends up playing a major role in the book or not.

There are certainly female liars in Pride and Prejudice (Bingley's sisters). I would say that Livia in I, Claudius is a masterful liar and schemer. In Maledicte, the protagonist is a liar, criminal, and murderer (she is also sort of transsexual, so I don't know if you would count her).

I'll keep thinking to see if I can come up with anything else.