Feature & Follow is hosted by Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it’ll allow us to show off more new blogs!
Question of the Week: What writing device or trick most irritates you when you read a book? For example, when an author employs an omnipotent narrator that is sometimes considered bad form.
A: I typically dislike alternating POVs. Especially if each are written differently, like in Of Poseidon by Anna Banks, where the one main character was narrated in first person, but the other had third person narration. It was disorienting to read and I think that after reading so many books where the device was used badly, it's just become a pet peeve for me if it's there. I don't think I've ever set down a book only because of alternating POVs, but I've come close.
I haven't read Of Poseidon, but that would probably bug me! But in books like Simone Elkeles' it works really well! Great answer :)
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I think the alternating POVs work well if the chapters are long enough, and the content is different. It doesn't work so well with two characters narrating the same scene, for example.
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Rinn (My FF)
I love it when alternating POVs work and add to each other, like in The Sweetest Spell by Suzanne Selfors. It was wonderful. But I've read so many where it didn't add anything and now if I run into any POV change, I start to look for more issues instead of enjoying the book.
DeleteOhh I quite like alternating character POV's but usually only between two characters and they're in the the same. I couldn't imagine alternating POV's where they were first and then in third person!! That would be insanely weird!
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My FF
Wow, so that didn't make a lot of sense haha. It's past 2am here sorry so I only just noticed that that comment didn't really make sense... Whoops.
DeleteWhat I meant to say was:
"...and they're the same person pov."
P.s. Your captcha's on and that usually deters a lot -if not most- people from commenting! :)
Thank you for letting me know! I had no idea the captcha was on. I feel rather silly now.
DeleteAnd yes, it was really weird!
Thanks for the follow!
Your blog name/theme is very cool-- I love The Jabberwocky! Definitely new GFC follower.
ReplyDeleteI dislike alternating POVs, too. When some characters have third-person POVs and others have first, it all gets kind of ridiculous. If an author wants to tell a story from that many POVs, I think they should just write in third-person to begin with.
Kat @ A Myriad of Books
Thank you so much!
DeleteVery good point; just writing in third person would avoid the issue altogether.
I rather like alternating POV's if they are done properly that is.
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Iona
adventitiousreading.blogspot.ca
Yes, emphasis on done properly.
DeleteThat really is disorienting!
ReplyDeletehttp://carabosseslibrary.blogspot.com/2012/10/follow-friday_26.html
Thanks for stopping by my Friday Hop! I totally agree about the POVs switching between first and third-super annoying. Old follower =)
ReplyDeleteI don't care for cliffhangers either, especially at the end of a book -- that's just mean! I agree, anything that happens "just because" and doesn't add to anything in the story is sloppy writing.
ReplyDeleteAgreed! Alternating POVs made my long list.
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I love alternating POV's, as long as it is done well :)
ReplyDeletehttp://mydailyobsessionreview.blogspot.com/2012/10/feature-and-follow-3.html
Have not heard of that book but will look into it. I'm a new follower via GFC and would love for you to visit me whenever you have a chance...
ReplyDeleteThe Scarf Princess