Do you enjoy books that shift narrative modes?
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Re: Do you enjoy books that shift narrative modes?
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- Aussie-reader
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that's interesting.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.
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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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.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.
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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