tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257036732683611349.post1037411013018302001..comments2024-03-28T06:47:24.428-04:00Comments on As the Crowe Flies (and Reads!): Literary Pet Peeves: The rise of the multiple narrator...As the Crowe Flies and Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12110661562901480120noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257036732683611349.post-78637334737193707312013-03-08T16:46:31.003-05:002013-03-08T16:46:31.003-05:00I guess when I mean POVs, I prefer to 1st person, ...I guess when I mean POVs, I prefer to 1st person, 3rd person but with different narrations I refer to writing about different characters thoughts or switching between their situations in the story.<br /><br />Hope that makes sense ><Nyashahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06150166239076825811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257036732683611349.post-58649196379588934742013-03-07T11:35:38.194-05:002013-03-07T11:35:38.194-05:00NyNy, I'm curious how you differentiate betwee...NyNy, I'm curious how you differentiate between multiple narrators and changing points of view--on the surface they would seem like the same thing to me.As the Crowe Flies and Readshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12110661562901480120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257036732683611349.post-78535672794012264882013-03-07T11:13:27.444-05:002013-03-07T11:13:27.444-05:00A nice list you have here! I totally agree with mo...A nice list you have here! I totally agree with most of your points, it really annoys me! Although I believe multiple narrators is not so bad if it is written well and flows in the story. What annoys me is when some writers change points of views in their stories, it annoys me so much! By the way, I wrote a post about my own fiction pet peeves on my blog so I hope you will read and comment with your own opinion telling me what you think! http://nynyonlinex.wordpress.com/2013/03/06/fiction-pet-peeves/<br />Nyashahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06150166239076825811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257036732683611349.post-56089807548968716492010-12-21T12:21:53.801-05:002010-12-21T12:21:53.801-05:00I think Jon Clinch does multiple narrators very we...I think Jon Clinch does multiple narrators very well in his recent book KINGS OF THE EARTH. Also, I absolutely agree with you about MUDBOUND!Michael Kindnesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17498629036850675543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257036732683611349.post-16237291532596614912010-12-11T17:36:52.918-05:002010-12-11T17:36:52.918-05:00Thanks for the comments, y'all.
Christina, ...Thanks for the comments, y'all. <br /><br />Christina, I agree that Poisonwood Bible was a very good book, but I'm not sure the story was better served by breaking up the narrators into the different chapters. Still, among multiple POVs, it is better than most. <br /><br />Chrysler, interesting point about epistolary novels. I tend to be a fan of that device, but I wouldn't have considered epistolar novels as having multiple narrators/POVs. I don't mind it when an author breaks out with a letter in the middle of a narrative, either, as way of forwarding the story, so I'm not sure why the casual use of multiple narrators bothers me so. Guess that's why it's a pet peeve...<br /><br />Robyn, I think the argument could be made either way, but since Chaucer's pilgrims aren't telling different portions of the same stories in their various tales, I wouldn't call it a multiple narrator story. To me it's more an anthology of short stories--utterly unconnected except that an editor selected them all to appear together. <br /><br />mwo, I've never read Danielewski, but it sounds like his use of multiple narrators is among the rare successful ones.As the Crowe Flies and Readshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12110661562901480120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257036732683611349.post-49226546701644871542010-12-11T17:15:31.209-05:002010-12-11T17:15:31.209-05:00I don't know about this one. Multiple narrator...I don't know about this one. Multiple narrators can be quite demanding, but I can see where you are coming from. I'm a firm fan of Daniewelski and he frequently uses multiple type to represent different voices/ characters in his work. For me it adds amother dimension, some colour and flavour to a story that would otherwise be just like the others: a flat, straight read.<br /><br />Here's my pet peeve: http://mywordlyobsessions.wordpress.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257036732683611349.post-26798873785922120812010-12-11T15:50:13.547-05:002010-12-11T15:50:13.547-05:00Would The Canterbury Tales be an example of multip...Would The Canterbury Tales be an example of multiple narrators? A non-modern example?Robyn Rylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07510195754917893035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257036732683611349.post-11829601189641120452010-12-11T15:03:58.926-05:002010-12-11T15:03:58.926-05:00So interesting...as a writer I struggle with this ...So interesting...as a writer I struggle with this question daily. I often use multiple narrators when I think the story can be told in a more interesting way from shifting POVs. What is the true story? Is there ever a true story? Who controls the story and why? And the way of telling itself can illuminate the characters. Of course, this may also be an annoying way of telling a story, I agree. It's a fine thing for writers to be reminded that good old third person omniscient is often the best way to go.<br /><br />As to the origins of multiple POVs, I don't think of it as a particularly modern device -- I think of epistolary novels, Wuthering Heights, The Lady In White, Dracula, as progenitors. But it's always a problem for a writer. How to tell is as important as what one is telling, ultimately. Thanks for the thought provoking post!Chryslernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257036732683611349.post-22097765370979053172010-12-11T09:51:31.342-05:002010-12-11T09:51:31.342-05:00This is one of those that rely on the writers abil...This is one of those that rely on the writers ability & more importantly, their understanding of it. As is said above, it can be well done, but more often than not , it's a writer over extending their talent & what should be a subtle exercise, becomes piano playing with a sledgehammer.@parridhlanternhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12793548943992250238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257036732683611349.post-54382256067338184502010-12-10T11:47:49.190-05:002010-12-10T11:47:49.190-05:00Ah, yes. Like so many peeves, this is one that can...Ah, yes. Like so many peeves, this is one that can work (The Poisonwood Bible, imo) or turn out very, very badly (Ms. Picoult, like you said). I never thought about multiple narrators being a modern device, but I think you're right. <br />Thanks for participating in the hop!Christinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16366906896853072205noreply@blogger.com