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Re: What's In A Name?
Posted: 16 May 2022, 07:19
by n3stl3y_
A protagonist being nameless gives the reader a blank slate. When names are involved we already start painting the characters in our minds
Re: What's In A Name?
Posted: 23 May 2022, 10:54
by Anuvamsha S A
I noticed that too. Thanks to my friend one day she asked me what was the name of the protagonist and I was like wait his name is.. And then I realized I'm halfway through the book and I don't even know his name. At first, I was like did I miss something. Later I found the author was actually the narrator so he must be Eytan or I named him the go-with-the-flow guy or Rachels's husband or the one who wore pink bracelet more often.
Re: What's In A Name?
Posted: 31 May 2022, 03:02
by fire_spice
Sinclairess wrote: ↑25 Jan 2020, 12:06
Hello, all! I have recently finished the book and am excited. After mulling the story over in my head... I... well...
I don't think the main protagonist has a name? Or does he? Did I miss something? Just trying to make sure I'm not crazy. I know my memory isn't stellar, but I don't think I missed such an important thing. I also don't think there was any physical description of him (besides the weight observations and eventual graying hair).
And if you agree that there is no name, what do you think the larger purpose of this is, if any? I think maybe he's supposed to be a vague shell that any type of man can insert his mind and experiences into. I also think that's why he identified with so many men around the world, even though they were strangers.
I think it's so we are able to put ourselves in his shoes easily. It also enables the writer to tell the story with a lot of freedom.
Re: What's In A Name?
Posted: 31 May 2022, 03:04
by fire_spice
Anuvamsha S A wrote: ↑23 May 2022, 10:54
I noticed that too. Thanks to my friend one day she asked me what was the name of the protagonist and I was like wait his name is.. And then I realized I'm halfway through the book and I don't even know his name. At first, I was like did I miss something. Later I found the author was actually the narrator so he must be Eytan or I named him the go-with-the-flow guy or Rachels's husband or the one who wore pink bracelet more often.
Yeah it makes it difficult to identify him or discuss him as a character. That's the downside.
Re: What's In A Name?
Posted: 09 Jun 2022, 02:50
by Maris Charles M
I think that was a brilliant skill employed by the author so that every man reading could fit into the unnamed character. Any man can have fun I think that's the author's point.
Re: What's In A Name?
Posted: 26 Jun 2022, 23:16
by Marsha JJ
It took me awhile to realize that the protagonist didn't have a name. In thinking now about it, it helped me to empathize more with him, and feel that I was walking in his shoes. It's an interesting technique.
Re: What's In A Name?
Posted: 28 Jun 2022, 11:53
by Glorious Jack
The main character not being named was a shock to me. I remember looking for the name after the second chapter, and I felt so frustrated when I could not find it when I had to write a review for the book. I believe he was not named because its the quthor
Re: What's In A Name?
Posted: 30 Jun 2022, 15:41
by Agbata precious
The protagonist is also the author.
Re: What's In A Name?
Posted: 20 Jul 2022, 07:53
by Cocobutta
Funny, I did not notice the fact that the protagonist was not named till I finished the book and was writing my review.
Re: What's In A Name?
Posted: 14 Sep 2022, 19:01
by IbrahimOtegbade
I guess the author does not want to attach the main character to himself because the reader would most likely thinks it's him. The book looks like a semi/quasi-autobiography. Even though the story looks like his, he probably felt creating a nameless character will make the reader more objective.
Re: What's In A Name?
Posted: 19 Sep 2022, 09:27
by Agbata precious
DorcasToo wrote: ↑26 Jan 2020, 01:10
The main prinspiring to is also the author, the story is a real one. However, I think you have a solid point from a self-reflection point of view.
I think so too.
Re: What's In A Name?
Posted: 12 Oct 2022, 07:46
by Obi Egbuniwe
It wasn't until I read some of the reviews for the book that I realized that the main character is the author. It's supposed to be semi-autobiographical. It's a questionable choice if you ask me. Didn't sour my reading experience though.
Re: What's In A Name?
Posted: 26 Oct 2022, 05:13
by Clare Jose
I just assumed the main protagonist was the author himself. But I find your line of thought interesting.
Re: What's In A Name?
Posted: 03 Dec 2022, 19:00
by Moo Reny
The unnamed character just gave this book a mysterious lift
Re: What's In A Name?
Posted: 06 Dec 2022, 08:17
by Not available anymore
I didn't cone across a name for the protagonist but that's not really important, it was a good read after all