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UsrLocalBinPython3 t1_j1emoj5 wrote

An epigraph at the beginning of each chapter. They’re usually from classics/mythology (i.e. Watership Down), but then Dune has epigraphs from in-universe books and such. It just makes that universe seem that much bigger and mysterious, that there are all these books in it that we only have tiny excerpts from.

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phantom_fox13 t1_j1f37i0 wrote

I really love when books manage to tie in "natural feeling" references to world building cultures such as their specific classics or mythology. Like, yes please give me a glimpse into a religion or history in this world!

Admittedly, at times I've been a bit disappointed when they feel like parodies of "real" literature (instead of inspired by) when the tone isn't meant to be funny.

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beruon t1_j1g3pfp wrote

Oh absolutely. Warhammer 40k does this a lot with in-universe military manuals and stuff and its AMAZING.

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