How do you know if a narrator is trustworthy or not?

Question

Some stories have narrators who might lie, exaggerate, or leave things out (Holes or Diary of a Wimpy Kid come to mind). What clues tell you if you can believe the person telling the story?

Answer 1

You can tell if a narrator is trustworthy by paying attention to how they tell the story and whether their version makes sense. A reliable narrator usually gives details that match up with the facts of the story, stays consistent, and doesn’t leave big gaps. An untrustworthy narrator might exaggerate, contradict themselves, or describe things in a way that feels one-sided or too dramatic. Sometimes other characters or events in the story prove that what the narrator says isn’t the whole truth. If you notice clues like over-the-top emotions, missing information, or other people’s actions not matching what the narrator claims, it’s a sign you should question whether they can really be believed.

Answer 2

You can tell if a narrator is trustworthy by checking if they:

1. Tell a consistent story
2. Have reasons to lie or hide things
3. Are contradicted by other characters or events
4. Show signs of exaggeration or bias
5. Admit they might not be completely truthful

If any of these happen, the narrator might be unreliable.