Readers Disappointed Because of the Author's Narrative Betrayal

[Eldoria]

Readers Disappointed Because of the Author's Narrative Betrayal​

There was a time when I still enjoyed reading novels, comics, and watching anime. I was so captivated by the story's moral premise and the iconic characters. But all that changed when the Fire Nation attacked, I mean... when the author turned around.

You see... not all authors can keep their promises of a story's moral premise. For example, maybe at first they promised to give a story of an epic hero's journey, but halfway through the story, until the end, the story turned into a moral lecture (actually, there is no problem with moral lectures, but the protagonist is often inconsistent with his/her morals). And one story that left a lasting impression, not because of its epic story (although the beginning of the story was epic), but because the author betrayed its moral premise was Attack on Titan (SNK).

At the beginning of the story, the author seemed to promise the story would be a dark fantasy about the liberation of humanity who lived imprisoned within walls, amidst the threat of ferocious titans ready to devour humanity. But we know at the end of the story, the author simplified this story into a fatalistic tale where the protagonist is forced to become a 'slave of fate' to end the story. Even the protagonist's initial determination to free his people from oppression was reduced to a ridiculous motive, "because I love my childhood friend." The readers were so disappointed that they even made an alternative ending for AoT.

In other genres like SoL and shoujo, many stories are titled about family - the bond between mother/father and child (and I just want to reminisce about the parent-child story) but in the middle of the story, it turns into a mainstream romance story that even reduces the role of parents in the core of the story, as if the title of parents is just an empty gimmick. If the author ultimately only wants to write a mainstream romance, why not just make a romantic title, instead of including the words mother, father, daughter, son, siblings, which in reality are not the focus of the story?

Well, there are so many things I want to complain to the authors out there. And maybe as a reader, you have had this unpleasant experience. My question is:

1. Have you ever been disappointed by authors who betrayed their moral premise in the novel you read?
2. What are the author's betrayals of the story that make you disappointed?

 

[ArborealWood]

Readers Disappointed Because of the Author's Narrative Betrayal​

There was a time when I still enjoyed reading novels, comics, and watching anime. I was so captivated by the story's moral premise and the iconic characters. But all that changed when the Fire Nation attacked, I mean... when the author turned around.

You see... not all authors can keep their promises of a story's moral premise. For example, maybe at first they promised to give a story of an epic hero's journey, but halfway through the story, until the end, the story turned into a moral lecture (actually, there is no problem with moral lectures, but the protagonist is often inconsistent with his/her morals). And one story that left a lasting impression, not because of its epic story (although the beginning of the story was epic), but because the author betrayed its moral premise was Attack on Titan (SNK).

At the beginning of the story, the author seemed to promise the story would be a dark fantasy about the liberation of humanity who lived imprisoned within walls, amidst the threat of ferocious titans ready to devour humanity. But we know at the end of the story, the author simplified this story into a fatalistic tale where the protagonist is forced to become a 'slave of fate' to end the story. Even the protagonist's initial determination to free his people from oppression was reduced to a ridiculous motive, "because I love my childhood friend." The readers were so disappointed that they even made an alternative ending for AoT.

In other genres like SoL and shoujo, many stories are titled about family - the bond between mother/father and child (and I just want to reminisce about the parent-child story) but in the middle of the story, it turns into a mainstream romance story that even reduces the role of parents in the core of the story, as if the title of parents is just an empty gimmick. If the author ultimately only wants to write a mainstream romance, why not just make a romantic title, instead of including the words mother, father, daughter, son, siblings, which in reality are not the focus of the story?

Well, there are so many things I want to complain to the authors out there. And maybe as a reader, you have had this unpleasant experience. My question is:

1. Have you ever been disappointed by authors who betrayed their moral premise in the novel you read?
2. What are the author's betrayals of the story that make you disappointed?

Hmmm what If the mc is crazy tho does it still count? I mean crazy person moral compass tend to be..ever changing at times but then again never really seen a crazy character with ever changing moral compass being done perfectly.

 

[blackcrowcrowd]

Hmmm, not really. Most of the time when I read any story I just go with the mindset of reading something fun, not something specific.

If there's a sudden 'narrative betrayal' that I don't like (although it doesn't really count a betrayal) is when the MC suddenly got more than 1 partner. I know there's a harem tag, I know yall go with wife = good, 2 wife = good good, but meh I don't like it.

 

[Eldoria]

Hmmm what If the mc is crazy tho does it still count? I mean crazy person moral compass tend to be..ever changing at times but then again never really seen a crazy character with ever changing moral compass being done perfectly.

I'm not highlighting whether the protagonist is crazy, good, or evil. But I do see a betrayal of the story's moral premise. For example, if the author wants to write a villain protagonist who burns the world, that's perfectly narratively valid. But it would be ridiculous if the author suddenly changes the story midway through and turns the villain into a farmer. Well, this is just a ridiculous example, but there are plenty of stories out there that are inconsistent with their moral premise.

 

[NotaNuffian]

Readers Disappointed Because of the Author's Narrative Betrayal​

There was a time when I still enjoyed reading novels, comics, and watching anime. I was so captivated by the story's moral premise and the iconic characters. But all that changed when the Fire Nation attacked, I mean... when the author turned around.

You see... not all authors can keep their promises of a story's moral premise. For example, maybe at first they promised to give a story of an epic hero's journey, but halfway through the story, until the end, the story turned into a moral lecture (actually, there is no problem with moral lectures, but the protagonist is often inconsistent with his/her morals). And one story that left a lasting impression, not because of its epic story (although the beginning of the story was epic), but because the author betrayed its moral premise was Attack on Titan (SNK).

At the beginning of the story, the author seemed to promise the story would be a dark fantasy about the liberation of humanity who lived imprisoned within walls, amidst the threat of ferocious titans ready to devour humanity. But we know at the end of the story, the author simplified this story into a fatalistic tale where the protagonist is forced to become a 'slave of fate' to end the story. Even the protagonist's initial determination to free his people from oppression was reduced to a ridiculous motive, "because I love my childhood friend." The readers were so disappointed that they even made an alternative ending for AoT.

In other genres like SoL and shoujo, many stories are titled about family - the bond between mother/father and child (and I just want to reminisce about the parent-child story) but in the middle of the story, it turns into a mainstream romance story that even reduces the role of parents in the core of the story, as if the title of parents is just an empty gimmick. If the author ultimately only wants to write a mainstream romance, why not just make a romantic title, instead of including the words mother, father, daughter, son, siblings, which in reality are not the focus of the story?

Well, there are so many things I want to complain to the authors out there. And maybe as a reader, you have had this unpleasant experience. My question is:

1. Have you ever been disappointed by authors who betrayed their moral premise in the novel you read?
2. What are the author's betrayals of the story that make you disappointed?

If I must be disappointed, there are a bunch of examples but the stinging one in my head right now is Main Character hides his Strength.

From the start, it looks like standard KR MC who hides how OP he is to achieve his agenda and at no point did the author state that the MC is a cuck.

And then I found out that the MC is a cuck.

I dropped it.

Granted, I was already in midst of dropping because MC is a bore. Him then confirmed cuck made me hate him to the core.

Similarly, when Eren shown a small moment of wimpiness in front of Armin, it did put me off a bit. But hey, it was near the end and the Rumbling managed to elevate my mood so even with the sharp dip, my mood was still enough to coast to the end.

And yes, I enjoyed when Paradis was still destroyed in the end as the cycle of violence never ends.

 

[FleecedSheep]

I've read plenty of stories and watched plenty of movies and shows.

With that said, though, this may be an unpopular opinion, the biggest betrayal to me was Death Note. I think it's a great first watch, and its well put together, but the biggest cop-out was the halfway point. We could, should have gotten a powerful emotional moment where Light is forced to confront the results of his actions. Having seen the events through both set of eyes, it would have made for a great moment had Light properly agonized and built himself off that moment. It really would have been such a powerful narrative moment too...

It would have catalyzed him as an incredible character and would have made the final face off so much better. As it was, without it, the second half felt kind of flat. Conversely, you have something like Code Geass, where the character is allowed to have conflicted emotions and reconsider his actions, but in the end still continues on despite everything.

I still think Death Note is a much watch anime for first-time viewers. Just, yeah, I'd rather not rewatch it unless I have to.

I've also noticed you putting a lot of threads down like this. You doing some kind of market research, or just genuinely curious? Maybe a bit of both? Not that I'm against it, threads like these can be helpful for newer authors, in my opinion. Just wanted to know.

 

[ArborealWood]

I'm not highlighting whether the protagonist is crazy, good, or evil. But I do see a betrayal of the story's moral premise. For example, if the author wants to write a villain protagonist who burns the world, that's perfectly narratively valid. But it would be ridiculous if the author suddenly changes the story midway through and turns the villain into a farmer. Well, this is just a ridiculous example, but there are plenty of stories out there that are inconsistent with their moral premise.

That's fair since the character is supposed to be a villian it wouldn't really make sense if they start farming midway since the premise here is the fact that he's a villian.


If he's a madman I can see him turning from a genocidal villian and then to farming because you couldn't really grasp what's going on with em.

 

[Arkus86]

There was a number of stories I have read that changed drastically in tone, direction and/or style, either abruptly or more gradually. It always leads to disappointment, even if the story is still good. There were even stories that barely touched on the stated premise before going completely off the rails.

Conversely, you have something like Code Geass, where the character is allowed to have conflicted emotions and reconsider his actions, but in the end still continues on despite everything.

Speaking of Code Geass, I remember in the anime the ending of the first season really put me off, since the MC rather abruptly decided to throw everything away when he was about to achieve his goal... I don't remember much, but I think it was to save someone, despite treating literally everyone up to that point as nothing but tools?

 

[Eldoria]

I've also noticed you putting a lot of threads down like this. You doing some kind of market research, or just genuinely curious? Maybe a bit of both? Not that I'm against it, threads like these can be helpful for newer authors, in my opinion. Just wanted to know.

Hmm... am I doing market research? Maybe yes. Am I curious? Maybe yes. I'm the type of person who is curious and loves to hear other people's opinions (which indirectly becomes market research). I'm an introvert, but when I talk about topics I'm interested in, I become chatty. Yes, sorry if I often create threads. My brain can't stop asking questions, and other people's opinions open new insights for me. Maybe you can create a similar thread. I don't mind reading it if it interests me in fiction.

 

[Sylver]

Readers Disappointed Because of the Author's Narrative Betrayal​

There was a time when I still enjoyed reading novels, comics, and watching anime. I was so captivated by the story's moral premise and the iconic characters. But all that changed when the Fire Nation attacked, I mean... when the author turned around.

You see... not all authors can keep their promises of a story's moral premise. For example, maybe at first they promised to give a story of an epic hero's journey, but halfway through the story, until the end, the story turned into a moral lecture (actually, there is no problem with moral lectures, but the protagonist is often inconsistent with his/her morals). And one story that left a lasting impression, not because of its epic story (although the beginning of the story was epic), but because the author betrayed its moral premise was Attack on Titan (SNK).

At the beginning of the story, the author seemed to promise the story would be a dark fantasy about the liberation of humanity who lived imprisoned within walls, amidst the threat of ferocious titans ready to devour humanity. But we know at the end of the story, the author simplified this story into a fatalistic tale where the protagonist is forced to become a 'slave of fate' to end the story. Even the protagonist's initial determination to free his people from oppression was reduced to a ridiculous motive, "because I love my childhood friend." The readers were so disappointed that they even made an alternative ending for AoT.

In other genres like SoL and shoujo, many stories are titled about family - the bond between mother/father and child (and I just want to reminisce about the parent-child story) but in the middle of the story, it turns into a mainstream romance story that even reduces the role of parents in the core of the story, as if the title of parents is just an empty gimmick. If the author ultimately only wants to write a mainstream romance, why not just make a romantic title, instead of including the words mother, father, daughter, son, siblings, which in reality are not the focus of the story?

Well, there are so many things I want to complain to the authors out there. And maybe as a reader, you have had this unpleasant experience. My question is:

1. Have you ever been disappointed by authors who betrayed their moral premise in the novel you read?
2. What are the author's betrayals of the story that make you disappointed?

Hmm, I can see readers being disappointed with my story over this. The beginning tone starts off as a slice of life romance genre where you think the focus is smut, friendship, character growth, and silly adventures. But halfway through Act 1 you see the tone gradually shift, new obstacles arrive, and the characters are being challenged in new ways. Things can't be dismissed and slowly there is this lingering feeling that the story is getting serious as even the characters are arguing and stressing out. By act 2 the tone has shifted, there are silly and comedic moments sprinkled around but the story is serious, the stage has been set and pieces are now in motion.

Sorry, got a little lost in the sauce for dramatics x) I wrote my story with the intent of subverting expectations to draw in reader attention. Some of my favorite anime/manga have shock events that change the tone of the story moving forward, like Promised Neverland for example. I wanted to do that here, and hopefully I succeeded but it's not for me to judge, it's up to the readers to say if it worked or not.

 

[FleecedSheep]

There was a number of stories I have read that changed drastically in tone, direction and/or style, either abruptly or more gradually. It always leads to disappointment, even if the story is still good. There were even stories that barely touched on the stated premise before going completely off the rails.

Speaking of Code Geass, I remember in the anime the ending of the first season really put me off, since the MC rather abruptly decided to throw everything away when he was about to achieve his goal... I don't remember much, but I think it was to save someone, despite treating literally everyone up to that point as nothing but tools?

It's been a few years since I've watched it to be honest. Probably longer. I just remember really liking the flow of the story. It's just, there are so few stories with villain MC's and good villain MC's at that, and the closest equivalent to Death Note was probably Code Geass. Then again, it might not have been the best comparison either way, it was just the first thing to come to mind.

Hmm... am I doing market research? Maybe yes. Am I curious? Maybe yes. I'm the type of person who is curious and loves to hear other people's opinions (which indirectly becomes market research). I'm an introvert, but when I talk about topics I'm interested in, I become chatty. Yes, sorry if I often create threads. My brain can't stop asking questions, and other people's opinions open new insights for me. Maybe you can create a similar thread. I don't mind reading it if it interests me in fiction.

Again, I wasn't trying to get on your case. Just curious. And as I said, threads like these can be beneficial for authors to read, so it's not like it's a bad thing. You could almost say it's a form of community service.

As for creating my own thread, I normally don't post at all or even pay attention to the forum. But, since I'm posting a story and more-or-less forced to log in every so often, I tend to respond to forums and be somewhat active. Which is exactly why I struggle with any form of social media, go figures.

 

[Corty]

but I think it was to save someone

That someone was exactly who he did all for. Without her (Nunnally), Lelouch doesn't care if all is done or not. It's not someone, it is THE person whom Lelouch cared about the most. If she were gone, his will to do anything was gone.

 

[CharlesEBrown]

So far I've been warned away from stories where this would have happened, the most infamous being John Norman's Gor novels (where the MC goes from heroic freedom fighter to slave trader leading the people he sought to overthrow over the course of something like 17 novels - I've heard the first four are great, but then it gets darker and some of the die-hard fans never finished the last few).