Has anyone constructed a novel with a plot reversal in every chapter? Since reversals are a basic element in some genres, with multiple reversals in some, I would think so, but I don’t read those genres much (mystery, suspense). By a reversal, I mean a shocking and unexpected plot development like the protagonist is revealed to be the son of another, theretofore unrelated character, or the loyal wife is shown to have been secretly betraying her husband all along. Seems like it would be worthwhile to construct an entire book in which a gigantic plot reversal after another is introduced chapter by chapter–but has it already been done?
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn is damn close – twist after twist after twist, though probably not one per chapter. Really entertaining – and very well done – piece of popular fiction.
It probably depends on what you consider by a reversal. I’m nearly finished a revision course by writer Holly Lisle, and she has ‘twist’ in one of her five elements to build into every scene - but not all twists have to be obvious or flashy.
And she recommends “A Game of Thrones” as a very good example of a writer building a really good twist into each POV section. I’d tend to agree, but even there some of the twists are subtle.