Severian - unreliable narrator?

seanc · 04 Aug 2006, 22:59 · from rec.arts.sf.written.2006.mbox

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From: "seanc" <discjonz at yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Severian - unreliable narrator?
Date: 4 Aug 2006 15:59:42 -0700
Message-ID: <1154732382.059554.264030 at h48g2000cwc.googlegroups.com>
Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.written
References: <1154702938.622857.74150 at b28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com> <rru6d29eld646ooa227td43i90qncsa83i at 4ax.com>

> On 4 Aug 2006 07:48:58 -0700, adrianmarley at yahoo.co.uk wrote:
> >My question is this: In what way is Severian unreliable? Can anybody
> >point out specific instances of where is being unreliable or where he
> >is telling lies?
> >
> >Cheers,
> >Adrian.

vivian wrote:
> Adrian:
>
> The Wolfe on-line discussion list is filled with information like you
> request, but is somewhat difficult to search given its massive amount
> of posts. Here, at any rate, are two that may help:
>
> http://www.urth.net/urth/archives/v0028/0427.shtml
>
> http://www.urth.net/urth/archives/v0307/3619.txt.shtml

Thanks to the original poster for asking a question I have also
wondered about, and to viv for providing explicating links.

I'm not entirely convinced that this evidence makes Severian an
unreliable narrator; at the very least, the subtle discrepensies
described in the linked material don't necessarily mean that he got the
more significant portions of his story wrong.

Even supposing that the evidence is sound, there's still the matter of
motive.  My underlying question is, what purpose would it serve for
Severian to prevaricate?

Best,

Sean

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