Do you enjoy books that shift narrative modes?

Rebecca_13 · Post by **Rebecca_13** » 11 Oct 2013, 11:57

I don't know if you'd define it as the mode, however narrative shifts have both good and bad aspects. I am reading Wuthering Heights, and can't decide whether i like the shifting of narrative between Nelly a maid and Lockwood- someone with higher social status. An already disjointed Gothic novel i feel it can make things a bit too confusing sometimes.

MagicofBooks86 · Post by **MagicofBooks86** » 11 Oct 2013, 16:28

Depends if it's well written. I tend to just like a constant narrative from start to finish, but I occasionally don't mind if there's some unique narrative twists going on.

Sine_Ni_Ceallach · Post by **Sine_Ni_Ceallach** » 12 Oct 2013, 11:25

I'm not sure... If it was done well, I think it would definitely be an entertaining and creative way of relating the storyline. The only books I can think of at the moment that employed this device was the Anne of Green Gables series. Seven of the eight books books are in third person; however, once you get to Anne of Windy Poplars, a significant portion of the novel is a series of letters between Anne and Gilbert, and for some reason it's just really boring.

talia_in · Post by **talia_in** » 14 Oct 2013, 15:17

I don't really mind it. It sometimes help me understand the story better.

TrishaAnn92 · Post by **TrishaAnn92** » 24 Oct 2013, 13:33

As long as it's not confusing to go back and forth and makes me stop for a minute to make sense of it then I don't mind.

gali · Post by **gali** » 25 Oct 2013, 01:46

I do as long as it is well written, but I prefer one narrative.

cherokee_rose · Post by **cherokee_rose** » 25 Oct 2013, 03:01

I am reading a book right now that switches between POVs. "Burial Rites" goes back and forth but its very clear and it makes sense to the story. The first time I read a book that did that so frequently was "Lone Wolf" by Jodi Picoult and I thought it was beautifully done.

shortyblue · Post by **shortyblue** » 30 Oct 2013, 00:55

I think it depends on the story being told. In some books, alternating points of view can be beneficial to the overall story. In fact, some books wouldn't be near as enjoyable without it (in my opinion). On the other hand, if it is done too often or between too many characters it can be confusing and even downright boring.

bybaiog · Post by **bybaiog** » 30 Oct 2013, 10:17

Sometimes... Usually I find it distracting. However - I just finished a book called Skippy Dies where the narrative mode shifts frequently and somehow it works well.

B_elk123 · Post by **B_elk123** » 14 Nov 2013, 03:38

I do. I enjoy seeing the juxtaposition of different points of view. I feel that it gives a better insight into the characters and gives the reader a feeling that they know something the characters don't since they are privy to information within other character's minds.

The Bookaholic · Post by **The Bookaholic** » 16 Dec 2013, 11:49

Yes, however it can be confusing sometimes.

Dream Catcher · Post by **Dream Catcher** » 19 Jan 2014, 15:34

I do as you get to see the story from all types of angles. Although it can shift the pace which can ruin a book.

lbuckman · Post by **lbuckman** » 19 Jan 2014, 16:23

It depends on the story and the characters. For the most part, I don't mind these types of books as they allow good insight into all of the characters.