First vs. third person

angiejack456 · Post by **angiejack456** » 20 Apr 2019, 03:37

Perhaps the author used this method to differentiate between characters. When all characters have the same voice it can be difficult to remember who is currently speaking. Good writing includes the ability to create characters that stand out from one another.

Raja28 · Post by **Raja28** » 20 Apr 2019, 06:58

I'm okay with both first and third person narratives as long as the author maintains consistency. Both styles have their own advantages while the first person narrative is, in my opinion, best suited for travel writing.

Connie Otwani · Post by **Connie Otwani** » 20 Apr 2019, 10:49

I think I was too invested in the story to ponder much about it. It didn't distract the flow of the story though. But now that you ask, I can't help wondering.

Charlie Sheldon · Post by **Charlie Sheldon** » 20 Apr 2019, 11:08

I cannot really say why some points of view are third person and others first, or why I have more than one first person, except to say the style appeals to me and I find it easier to work this way here are some benefits for first person as opposed to third person for some things, backstory for example, but in the end it is a matter if style. I do think having all first person becomes, somehow, cute, but have no idea while I feel that way.

Brendan Donaghy · Post by **Brendan Donaghy** » 20 Apr 2019, 11:22

I've only read the sample of this book so far, as I'm in the middle of reading another, but the switching between first and third person narration seemed a little odd to me. Perhaps when I read the rest of the book it'll make more sense. I liked the opening pages which describe the fire on the ship and the crew having to launch the lifeboats. Gripping stuff.

Kristy Khem · Post by **Kristy Khem** » 20 Apr 2019, 11:42

Totally agree with you. I don't like inconsistencies when reading. As you said, it made me question the identities of the main characters. To me, first person is characterized by the use of 'I' and third person is characterized by the use of 'he, she, it'.

IloveSpain01 · Post by **IloveSpain01** » 20 Apr 2019, 21:19

I have noticed that a few chapters where the vantage point is from Travis, that there is a switch between first person to third. The others I haven't noticed, but I've also been very captivated by the whole story so far. I'm so engrossed in it that any other changes in persons has passed by me.

Kristin Ransome · Post by **Kristin Ransome** » 21 Apr 2019, 08:21

I liked it because the third person narrative gave a broader scope to the story, while the first person allowed me to connect with the characters more! Maybe the author did it to give this broader sense?

BuzzingQuill · Post by **BuzzingQuill** » 21 Apr 2019, 14:01

I think the author switched between the two for practical reasons, some POV's just worked better in first while others worked better in 3rd. This was my biggest grievance with the novel (say how much I enjoyed the book), it's just a pet peeve of mine when the book switches perspective like that.

Sonya Nicolaidis · Post by **Sonya Nicolaidis** » 21 Apr 2019, 16:25

This is such an interesting question, and one that I would love to direct to that author himself. I personally don't like first person narratives, but somehow the mixture of the two, while it took some getting used to, wasn't so bad. Perhaps it has something to do with how 'related' to the character this author was while writing; perhaps he was just experimenting with this different writing technique...it's very hard to say.

Vscholz · Post by **Vscholz** » 21 Apr 2019, 16:55

briellejee wrote: ↑04 Apr 2019, 03:03 It also confused me as I like reading in first person. But, I think the author wanted to provide a variety of perspectives in the story. To be honest, I would have liked it if each character could have somehow contributed as a first person. I also agree in some people here that writing it in third person made the author take control of the story.

I agree--showing each character's individual view would make for a clearer story. Do you think maybe some parts are third person as a way to keep the story open for future installments? Like, maybe the third person characters will have their own book and they have personal reflections on the events here that will only be revealed in the future books?

Julie Petitbon · Post by **Julie Petitbon** » 22 Apr 2019, 00:30

I wondered about this as well. It's a little confusing and unexpected at first, but I think that adding the first person perspective adds depth to the characters in a more intimate way. When the author uses the omniscient point of view, it doesn't seem to go into as much depth, though you do get many different perspectives.

Vtonionline · Post by **Vtonionline** » 22 Apr 2019, 04:15

I think it was done for a reason such as distinguishing and bringing to the fore the thoughts of those characters. I know Myra was in the first story and perhaps, the series is hers wholly. Steve played a key character role in Adrift and this may be why he also had a first-person perspective.

joshfee77 · Post by **joshfee77** » 22 Apr 2019, 23:35

Based purely on my experience as a reader, I think there should be no more than one first-person perspective in any novel. Everyone else should be written in the third person. Way too confusing otherwise. (IMHO!)

Swat3737 · Post by **Swat3737** » 23 Apr 2019, 16:47

I found this to be a very frustrating aspect of this book and it made it so confusing I couldn't finish reading the book. I like the idea of different perspectives to give more context to the plot and relationships, but it sometimes just seemed like an error on the part of the author.