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    Some authors I find entertaining make good use of foreshadowing. Steven King comes to mind with the memorable "Death, but not for you, Gunslinger" (Dark Tower series, more than once, and more than one death) comes to mind.

    Terry Pratchett, too, but in a different way. Prachett leave unresolved questions, such as "Vetenari wouldn't live forever, or perhaps he will use his vampire connection?", "What will Little Sam become?", and "What happens if Carrot and Angua have children?". Pratchett's foreshadowing, if you can call it that, is in hinted questions that may be resolved in future novels (as, for example was the question of the Low King's gender), but sadly will remain unresolved because Sir Terry died young.

    I suspect both authors were leaving space for themselves to write into, if that makes sense, and the foreshadowing leaves space for imagination.

    Brutal use of foreshadowing, as common in thrillers, generally irritates me. It may create dread, which is unpleasant, or may feel manipulative.

    I'm curious to hear how others feel about foreshadowing, and especially, who they feel uses it well and why

    by sandgrubber

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