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Original poster

Anyone else's heart sink at yet another "split narrative"?

36 replies

gaelicsheep · 23/10/2011 22:44

I shan't reveal the book for fear of spoilers, but I am now finding this an increasingly irritating and lazy device. I think it nicely avoids the author having to actually engage in character development and in this case it has really spoiled the flow of what was a very promising book.

OP posts:
gushofbloodtothefloor · 23/10/2011 22:51

One Day?

Original poster
gaelicsheep · 23/10/2011 22:54

Nope. Everyone's going to play guess the book now aren't they? Grin It isn't a very new one.

OP posts:
ImperialBlether · 26/10/2011 21:02

Do you mean alternate chapters from two different points of view?

Original poster
gaelicsheep · 26/10/2011 21:06

Actually yes I do, which I suppose isn't a split narrative as such. A split narrative (by which I mean where different people take turns at narrating) annoys me even more. I would just like some continuity and it seems more and more novels are doing this. As it happens the one I'm reading has picked up and is forgiven - for now.

OP posts:
Bonsoir · 26/10/2011 21:08

Notting Hell?

ImperialBlether · 26/10/2011 21:10

The book I'm writing has this! Just from two points of view.

Original poster
gaelicsheep · 26/10/2011 21:12

Can I ask why?

OP posts:
ImperialBlether · 26/10/2011 21:19

I've not done it before but it seemed to suit the narrative. It's a psychological thriller and you're getting the points of view of the two people most involved (not the baddie.)

I know what you mean about disliking multiple points of view - I do too as the authors often don't make me identify with any of the characters. However, I think it suits this novel and from the readers' responses, it seems to be working

Maryz · 26/10/2011 21:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
gaelicsheep · 26/10/2011 21:25

Lol no, I just didn't want anyone saying "oh that one where so and so...". OK, so it's A Thousand Splendid Suns and I've just got nearly to the end of Part 2 so don't tell me anything!

As I say I've re-engaged with it now so hopefully it continues being good.

OP posts:
VivaLeBeaver · 26/10/2011 21:25

The game of throne books are like this and it's never bothered me. I still found the characters to be well developed.

Original poster
gaelicsheep · 26/10/2011 21:27

I guess it's when you're just getting into the flow of it and then suddenly, end of Part One. Part Two - all change. Different characters, different tone - a bit unsettling. Although maybe that's part of the intention. Just would be nice to read a traditionally written novel for a change, but not one that bores me to tears!

OP posts:
ImperialBlether · 26/10/2011 21:32

I agree with you there. I don't like half a book on one character, then the rest on another, with the previous hero/ine being just a bit player, if they're there at all.

Having said that, I did like A Thousand Splendid Suns, but I think that was as much because it was such an eye-opener reading about that way of life.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 26/10/2011 21:39

I didn't like A Thousand Splendid Sons but not because of the split narrative, rather because it just wasn't very good. It just felt like cartoon good women and bad men to me and the characters were really superficial. Did like The Kite Runner though.

Original poster
gaelicsheep · 26/10/2011 21:41

Well I've not finished it yet so I'm reserving judgment. Smile I haven't read The Kite Runner but I mostly like what I've read of A Thousand Splendid Suns so far (my complaints notwithstanding).

OP posts:
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 26/10/2011 21:41

Suns not Sons! :)

ImperialBlether · 26/10/2011 21:45

Imagine having a thousand sons!

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 26/10/2011 21:57

It would make the mum's work in Dr Seuss' 'Too Many Daves' feel easy!

VeryStressedMum · 27/10/2011 20:10

What book is it? You haven't said anything about the book, plot or ending so giving the title won't spoil anything for anyone.

Original poster
gaelicsheep · 27/10/2011 21:14

I have said what the book is and I don't want you lot to spoil it for me! Grin

OP posts:
JajasWjolef · 27/10/2011 21:18

It's a brilliant book so there [hsmile].

GothAnneGeddes · 28/10/2011 11:24

Meeeeee!

I hate it! All too often it's a way of padding out a very average book.

Isla Dewar and Marian Keyes in particular have become buggers for doing this.

As someone who likes to read a book in the minimum of sittings, it just makes me so impatient, I don't need to know what x, y AND z thought of things, just get on with the story!

OneHandFlapping · 28/10/2011 11:28

I hate this. It's cheap device to add pace and suspense to a story that doesn't have it. James Patterson is a proponent of the technique.

I find it's a wrench to move away from one character's narrative, invariably at a cliff hanger point, to someone else's point of view.

ImperialBlether · 29/10/2011 21:15

Oh fuck, does this mean I have to rewrite the book?

OneHandFlapping · 30/10/2011 13:46

A lot of published books seem to use the device, so I would say, no. I don't like it as a reader, but seeing as it's most prevalent in popular literature, I'm probably in the minority there.

James Patterson is a multi-millionaire, so you'd be in rich good company.

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