[Arith]

Hi guys. Ive read a lot of books in my time and ive found that i have a very hard time keeping track of and getting into books written in the first person. I dont know why but its just very difficult for me to read in that style. Does anyone find this to be a problem? Which style of writting do you like better? Thanks guys.

[This message has been edited by Arith (edited November 10, 2001).]

[Bardos]

3rd person omniscient

[Arith]

Um..ok??

[Cadfael]

In general, I prefer 3rd person... but there are some shining examples of 1st person narative out there... my two favourites being The Farseer Trilogy, Robin Hobb, and Gene Wolfe's The Book of the New Sun series, and I suppose you can add book one of The Tawney Man as well. http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

Also... maybe I am imagining this, but I also find that 1st person is good at humourous narative.

[allanon]

Third person with no doubt.

[Alucard]

third person definitely. For me to enjoy first person, it has to be done really really well. For some reason, it bothers me to see the word "I" all over a page, so the writing has to be good enough to distract me of that.

[Cannon Fodder]

I generally prefer 3rd person stuff but the occasional lst person book is welcome. The Farseer trilogy, by Robin Hobb, is good example of good 1st person writing, although it did have its problems.

[Lady_Linda]

Actually, I often prefer the first person perspective (Zelazny's Amber, Farseer, so on...) If it is done skillfully, of course.

I think that it is a great way because it gives you a more direct feeling, the writer is speaking directly to his readers through his characters... Gives one the chance to really get to know the character. More of a storytelling, in short.

But it is hard to accomplish. (A. Many fails and destroys the story. B. I have tried http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/wink.gif

~Linda~

[Penumbra]

POV depends upon the effect the author wants to achieve, although 3rd person is normally preferred. I have occasionally discovered that an infusion of 1st person views within a 3rd person narrative stimulates the passage and generates fresh interest. It is difficult to sustain 1st person for any great length unless one establishes some kind of link with the reader that demands its continuance.

[Eventine]

Farseer was a good example of first person except that Hobb had to cheat a few times to make it work - ie Fitz's dreams.

3rd person is much easier to read, especially when trying to show motivations of multiple characters.