Do you enjoy books that shift narrative modes?

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yalonde
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Re: Do you enjoy books that shift narrative modes?

Post by yalonde »

Only when it is male lead character to female lead character. I like to see what they are both thinking.
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Debra
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Post by Debra »

As long as it's not confusing I'm all about it. I really hate feeling confused and it seems like a style that's particularly easy to screw up.
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Aussie-reader
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Post by Aussie-reader »

booklvr62 wrote:Hi LadyStardust,WELCOME.I agree with what Fran just said.
I have read some books where the shift was handled very well,and some that caused confusion.I just tried to read 'The Poisonwood Bible' by Barbara Kingsolver and absolutely hated the way that she had each chapter alternate which of the five characters was narrating,because it totally destroyed any flow to the story,there just flat wasn't any flow, so I quit trying to read it. So I have to say I prefer that it is not done,but it will not bother me,if it is done skillfully.
that's interesting.

Ive read The Poisonwood Bible and I thought it worked really well in that.

I often read books like this and mostly I like it.
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S dot Lennon
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Post by S dot Lennon »

It depends on the author but overall I enjoy books that shift narrative mode. There is one caveat for that: narrative modes can not shift during a chapter. I hate when an author tries to shift narrative modes in a chapter. Most attempts I have seen are extremely unsuccessful. I just read As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner and his use of different narrative modes was amazing and highly amusing. If done well, an author can really use the change in narrative mode to bring dimension and depth to a novel.
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Post by JenniferBoyce »

I think if it's well executed and not confusing then I am fine with it. When an author doesn't really understand how to execute the narrative shifts in an un-confusing manner, then I have a problem with the author using that technique.
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V_bansal2912
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Post by V_bansal2912 »

I don't mind, till it is written well and does not get confusing.
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W-Harbinger
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Post by W-Harbinger »

I enjoy shifting narrative modes as long it's not done in a confusing fashion. To me, it can be exciting to read foreshadowing elements through different perspectives. It keeps things interesting.
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Winter
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Post by Winter »

I'm not crazy about it, but sometimes it's ok. It does allow you to get to know the characters better. I prefer when there aren't too many switches, though. I found that frustrating in Game of Thrones.
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Yukiora 24
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Post by Yukiora 24 »

Yes and No. If a person's POV Is boring or not needed I just skip through it.
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Post by crashlee012 »

Most of the time. There are some authors who change with no transitions and now warning. Just BAM different narrator. But other than that, yes :)
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Post by npandit »

Fran wrote:@LadyStardust
The short answer is it all depends on the calibre, skill and experience of the writer. IMO shifiting narrative modes or narrators should only be attempted by an experienced, skilled author who has honed their craft & served their apprenticeship - starving in a cold garret!. Almost always when attempted by the amateur the result is discordant, frustrating to read & stressful to the constitution of the unfortunate reader.
I concur with what DATo has posted, Cloud Atlas is a masterpiece.
I agree with the first part of what Fran has said--it really just depends on how well the book is written. I've read a bunch of books recently that try to use a particular technique while telling the story. One was enjoyable and easy to follow; the rest weren't as much--it really just depends on how it's done.

Haha--I don't know if I agree with the second part of what you've said; because I've read books by experienced writers that write amateurishly, and some new authors who write beautifully. :)
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sglee425
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Post by sglee425 »

I don't like it. It's distracting. Usually the story doesn't flow very well.
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Post by Jen319164 »

personally i would veer away from any book that changes point of view because i feel an author should just be decisive on one thing
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Post by buttafly74 »

I think it depends on the style of writing and what not. I have read books where it's in more than one persons perspective, and i do enjoy them if, like i said, the writing is good and its not confusing, or too wordy.
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Post by L_Therese »

If switching narrative modes is well done, I really enjoy the added depth it gives to the characters and the story. The best I've ever read was Barbara Kingsolver's The Poisonwood Bible. However, when the author feels the need to repeat events in almost the exact same way to cover a second person's viewpoint (or give 1st person perspective to a 3rd person narration), it gets tiring really fast.
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