I love novels–so much that I may need an intervention, or possibly a support group. I typically read books that fall into the mystery, suspense, or thriller genres, though I do enjoy the occasional women’s fiction or romance novel. And I sometimes pick up a mainstream or literary read, especially if it’s a Southern novel. (I love everything Joshilyn Jackson has ever written.)
Recently I was reading a very well-written Southern mystery, something I would ordinarily be incapable of putting down. But I struggled to stay engaged in the book. It’s written from three different rotating characters’ perspectives, and they get roughly equal stage-time. There isn’t a clear main character. This made it difficult for me to become invested in any of the three candidates. I understand that this is purely a subjective preference. Certainly, other authors write this way, and other readers enjoy these books.
Maybe I’ve always been this way, but I’ve only recently noticed that I prefer books with only one narrator. The occasional, brief chapter in the villain’s (or love interest’s) point of view doesn’t bother me, but I want to experience most of the story through the eyes of one main character
Maybe this is a response to an increasingly complex world, but I want my reading entertainment to be focused. I don’t mean I want it delivered on a fifth-grade level. But I like slipping into a character’s skin and experiencing her/his world. It’s harder for me to stay in character if I have to keep switching roles.
Or maybe I just need to keep the number of voices in my head at a manageable level.
Peace, out…
Susan
If you figure out how to keep the voices in your head to a manageable level, let me know how. I’ve been trying to beat mine into submission for years, with minimal success.
Okay, with absolutely no success whatsoever.
One of my favorite past times use to be reading romance novels. You could always count on it starting in England then to a Carribean Island and finally a plantation in the South…….hmmm maybe that’s why I moved to Greenville to live out my fantasy LOL
Usually I prefer one viewpoint character, but I wrote one novel (and am trying to peddle it now) from several rotating viewpoints. There’s one main theme running through, but each has his/her own story, and they intertwine a little. I think it works because they are such different characters. (I’m told characterization is one of my strengths.) But we’ll see what the publishing world has to say…
Best of luck, Val! I know whatever you’ve written, it’s well-written. Someone in the publishing world (and I’m sure many readers as well)embraced the novel I was discussing.
Have you read “Innocent” by Scott Turow? It’s the sequel – 20 years on – to “Presummed Innocent” — he does a good job working in four different voices. I actually plotted it out on paper, and I was fascinated to see how well it worked–different voices were clear, etc. Interestingly, the character I though got the most “air time” didn’t …. Good read.
I haven’t read Innocent, though I loved Presumed Innocent, which may well have been written from multiple viewpoints, and I just don’t remember. I’d pull out my copy and look, but it appears I loaned it to someone who hasn’t returned it. I’ll add Innocent to my TBR stack. I’m sure, like everything else, there are exceptions to my preference. Thanks for the recommendation!
I love to get inside several characters’ heads – as long as it’s done correctly. I guess I’m just nosy like that!
BTW, I love Joshilyn Jackson’s books too. Her character developmen is incredible and her stories really pull you in.