So pigs now fly and hell has officially frozen over, for it is me, here with an actual discussion post! And only a year and some-odd months after my last one!
Here’s the situation: Lately, in books with multiple main characters that alternates narration between them, I have noticed the author not only changing the character, but the entire point of view. For instance, if you have two main characters, Anna and Elsa, Anna’s chapters are told via a first-person narration, while Elsa’s are told through third person, even though both characters seem to have the same level of importance in the story.
This is something that has been on my mind for a few months now, in fact. And I basically am asking some questions for you:
- Did you also notice this, or am I losing my mind?
- Is there a reason behind this that I am simply not aware of?
- Do you like this trend?
I actually went as far as to note this in my Kindle every time I came across it, so that I could give you proper examples. Then I went back to said Kindle and tried to rifle through notes until I found examples. Let’s just say that was a terrible plan, which would have required me to look at the notes of every damn book I read this year. So I found a few and gave up, as one does.
As for my own thoughts on it… I don’t love it? But, neither do I hate it, and it doesn’t really affect my enjoyment of a book- as proven by those above, I liked them all quite a bit. It’s just weird, ultimately. And a choice I don’t fully understand the significance of. Heck, you’d think it would be more confusing for the author to write it that way, no? But maybe I am missing something, there is some great literary reason, and you can shine a light on it for me!
I definitely see this more and more. The other thing I’ve seen a lot is multiple timelines (I know that’s not your topic but it’s sort of in a similar vein?) I can’t remember the last time I read a book with one narrator that’s told in chronological order, lol. I like multiple points of view but it has to be done right. Otherwise it’s too confusing to keep track of who’s speaking.
Oh YES you are so right- LOTS of multiple timelines. I am okay with them but sometimes I am just randomly thrown into the past but no one like… explicitly said so? Which I do nOT love! So yes I wholly agree, it has to be done right- and like, let the reader in on it!
I don’t really HATE it either, but it is jarring. And like Tammy says, just the sheer prevalence now of stuff like that and the fact that multiple timelines are like standard now or something. It feels like every book has multiple POV’s, timelines, or both… ?
YES! Like it isn’t fresh or unique if everyone is doing it! And yeah- like I just don’t feel like it is always super necessary? (Well- I don’t get the point at all, but that is me!)
Oohh interesting. I do like when we change POV but it’s usually both first person or alll third person like in a crime/suspense. Switching it up like what you described is a cool trick.
Yeah I don’t fully understand the motivation, honestly? Like- in a thriller or suspense, I can understand more, but in random books… no idea!
Hrm….either I haven’t noticed it (which must mean it doesn’t bother me), or I haven’t come across it. I would think changing POV would be a big red flag waved by an editor, though! I assume writing first-person POV with multiple characters is difficult, because they employ different voices and perception and you the author would still need to ensure the vital information is communicated to the reader. But it’s definitely doable! Or just stick with third-person and give us insight into the MC’s inner life through environmental cues, rather than the shorthand of their inner monologue.
Ah maybe that is it, you make a good point about the voice- though I kind of love when an author CAN differentiate between the voices, makes me feel like I know the characters better. Like in the 1st versus 3rd, I always gravitate toward the 1st person POV more because, well, we know them better!
I only noticed it in one book of the books I have read. Of course, I have been reading older books (2010 to 2018). I like changing POVs though. Although I don’t like the book I’m reading. I’m determined to finish it and the other two books. It’s called Scales of the Empire by Kylie Chan. It’s a space dragon book series.
Aw bummer, that is not fun! I hope it gets better for you! But yeah- it is definitely a newer trend, I haven’t noticed it at all until this year, I think that is why it stuck out!
I know I’ve read some books like this, though not too many. I find it can be kind of disorienting? At first at least. But not enough of a problem to make me stop reading or dislike a book, as long as both are well written. If you wanna hear something really wild, I recently read a book that switched throughout the book between 3rd and 2nd POV all the for the same character, no separation, just one sentence to the next. But I’m pretty chill about 1st/2nd/3rd and can usually roll with it once I have a moment to get accustomed.
Okay WHY would an author do that!? Just… why!? Was there a reason? I can handle it IF you properly separate, which the books I have talked about did, thank goodness. I think I mostly am curious as to why though- it is just… a choice I’d probably not have thought of?
I have seen this. I think it was a mystery/thriller type book which worked for that type of story, in my opinion. I believe I saw it another time where they were trying to kept that POV a secret. It made sense in those cases.
Oh yes in those cases I definitely can get that! And I would appreciate it, even. I have read a few of those too, and it didn’t confuse me because like, it made sense narratively. These just…. don’t make sense for me? They didn’t make me mad or anything, just confused 😂
I have noticed this…it happens with mystery novels a lot I think, like Sam was saying. I think it’s a good way to differentiate the MAIN character and the rest of the story. But otherwise, I don’t know? Maybe so you know it’s a different POV since people often complain that different POVs can sound too similar? I don’t know. haha
Yes yes like those reasons make sense to me! But otherwise I am just as lost as you are 😂
I am pretty open to anything an author wants to share. Different POVs are tricky. If it’s well done, the story flows smoothly regardless. Other times, it can get repetitive.
sherry @ fundinmental
Yeah I mean- I didn’t hate it or anything, I just found I was spending way too long trying to figure out WHY 😂
I hadn’t really thought about it but it does happen more. I think it depends on the story or if I’m listening or reading as to whether it bothers me or not.
Karen @For What It’s Worth
Yeah that makes sense- like with everything else, it depends on how it is handled!
I have noticed that too. It happens sometimes I’ve noticed in romance books when it is an author that used to only write the female perspective, I’ll see the male POV show up but in 3rd person. I prefer 1st person anyway, but I don’t know that I hate when they do that. It can be a little confusing though. Great discussion! And I actually have a discussion coming up later this month for a change too!
Ooooh interesting! Maybe the author just doesn’t feel like she can do justice to the male perspective? But I agree, it makes me pause, like… WHY? And oh YAY I can’t wait for it!