The name for this trope is “Tomato Surprise.”
Basically, it’s a twist where something is revealed in the narrative that was always obvious to the characters — but is a revelation to the readers. Such as: none of this story actually takes place on planet earth, or the protagonist isn’t human but is actually a monster, an alien, or something “other” than they present as on first glance.
I realize this is a very specific ask, but I would love to know if anyone has read a book or short story that does this!
by Swordbender
7 Comments
The Giver by Lois Lowry sort of does this
The Murder of Roger Akroyd by Agatha Christie
Harrison Bergeron.
Sort of:
Red Rising.
Wool.
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
Pictures of Perfection by Reginald Hill
We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler
The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau fits this description.