What's In A Name?

[Chelsey Coles]

When I first read the book, I always thought the protagonist's name was blank intentionally because they're supposed to be a blank slate like most role playing games I've played. But as I read the book more and more, I suddenly came to the assumption that it's the author himself, mostly for his love of traveling. Now does it make this book non-fiction? I'm not sure myself because this book has been labeled as other fiction.

But then again, it depends whether the protagonist's name is blank for a reason or the author just put some of his elements in the main character.

I have a similar thought process. I've played quite a bit of role-playing games myself, and your analogy is spot-on. I have been debating back and forth whether this is non-fiction or not. Just as you said, it's labels as "other fiction" for a reason. I will read Uliel's interview for more insight.

[HarryPotterLibrary22]

When I first read the book, I always thought the protagonist's name was blank intentionally because they're supposed to be a blank slate like most role playing games I've played. But as I read the book more and more, I suddenly came to the assumption that it's the author himself, mostly for his love of traveling. Now does it make this book non-fiction? I'm not sure myself because this book has been labeled as other fiction.

But then again, it depends whether the protagonist's name is blank for a reason or the author just put some of his elements in the main character.

I have a similar thought process. I've played quite a bit of role-playing games myself, and your analogy is spot-on. I have been debating back and forth whether this is non-fiction or not. Just as you said, it's labels as "other fiction" for a reason. I will read Uliel's interview for more insight.

I completely agree. At first, I thought the character was an 'unknown' that any reader could pretend to be but after reading other reviews I think it was actually based on the author himself.

[Brenda Creech]

You are right, the main protagonist didn't have a name in the story. As I read the book I wondered why it was left out. I finally decided the main protagonist was the author even though the book was fiction. I just used "the main protagonist" in my review because thinking it was the author was just my assumption, so I didn't want to put it in the review!

[Brenda Creech]

I have to say that not knowing the narrator's name bothered me a little bit, even though I guess it wasn't necessary. I notice he didn't bother to name his children either.

WOW! The fact he didn't name his children either slipped right by me!

[Falconcrest]

I agree with you, the author impolored this writing technique so, that he could connect to a lot of male readers across the globe. Yet, as I read the story, there was an unmistakable connection to author and the main protagonist. The experiences vividly described in the book, seemed to be coming from his personal account.

[Miller56]

I am okay with the narrator's name not being mentioned. I don't think knowing the names of all of the characters would add to the plot of the story.

[djr6090]

I liked that he was nameless. I imagined that the story was about 'anyman.' One never knows how deep
lie the still waters.

[Nkoo]

As I started reading the book and the protagonist spoke in the first person, I concluded that he was the same as the author. While I read, I searched to find out whether the narrator will expressly disclose his identity but he didn't. The non-disclosure of his name was not a bother to me.

[Mbrooks2518]

I agree that it allows male readers to insert themselves into the story. Although, I think any story where the unnamed character is so involved in the story and has their own personality should have a name.

[Rachel Lea]

I was wondering about that, too! If I remember correctly, I don't think the main character's children had names, either.

[readerrihana]

I wondered that, but it seems that at the end of the book the author admits that it was him as the character, this is my understanding anyway

[Ten10]

Yes, the main character never had a name in the novel. I believed that he could be the author narrating his real life experience with a bit of some experiences added fictitiosly.

[MsH2k]

I have to say that not knowing the narrator's name bothered me a little bit, even though I guess it wasn't necessary. I notice he didn't bother to name his children either.

Good point about the children’s names. I didn’t notice that.

[MsH2k]

I didn’t mind that the protagonist didn’t have a name, but I found it made taking notes easier if he had one. I was calling him “the guy” anyway, so I just named him Guy in my notes.

[Vin Doobs]

Fascinating question. Actually, even psychologists claim that your name reveals something about your personality. Even the name we give our pets reveal something about our personality. For example, giving your dog powerful names like "Bullet" or "Fang" means that you are straightforward and has a no-nonsense approach to things. Cuddly names like "Fluffy" could mean you are romantic. It's up to you if you buy this idea.