Narrabis

Narrabis is a term used in literary theory and media studies to describe a narrative construct that interweaves multiple strands of storytelling within a single work. It refers to texts that present parallel or intersecting narratives—often from different voices or viewpoints—whose relationships are explored through structure, paratexts, and, in multimedia works, embedded media. The term is primarily used in academic discourse and experimental fiction rather than as a fixed, widely agreed-upon genre.

Typical narrabis works feature polyphonic narration, non-linear chronology, and cross-modal presentation. Readers or viewers may encounter scenes out of order, learn about events through footnotes, marginalia, transcripts, or unrelated media fragments, and must infer connections between strands to derive a coherent interpretation of the whole.

Origin and usage: The concept emerged in the 2010s within discussions of narrative complexity, transmedia storytelling, and digital humanities. It is a descriptive label rather than a strict theory, and no single canon defines its boundaries.

Formats and applications: Narrabis appears in experimental novels, graphic narratives, interactive installations, and digital works that link textual passages with audio, video, or interactive elements. It is often employed to explore themes of memory, identity, and the instability of narrative authority.

Reception and critique: Proponents argue that narrabis expands interpretive possibilities and foregrounds reader agency. Critics warn that it can be confusing or elitist, potentially marginalizing readers who prefer linear storytelling. See also: non-linear narrative, polyphony, transmedia storytelling, metafiction.