Writing Style -- First Person vs Third Person

[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.

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

~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.

[Caliban]

I think that the Farseer is the ONLY relatively successful fantasy novel that is almost strictly in first person.

I will have to read the others mentioned though.

I think third person allows a certain detatchment from the characters and story which allows for greater control.

[Lani]

For me it doesn't really matter which style of narration is used. I enjoy books as long as they are well written.
Btw, Bardos, can you give me an example of a fantasy book written in omniscient narration?

[Valada]

Generally speaking, the majority of third-person books you read will be written in third-person omniscient. Omniscient simply means "all-knowing", and therefore it's any book that is written so that the narrator/author knows everything that's happening (even if all is not revealed to us, the reader). The great majority of fantasy is written in this style. Having said all that, please feel free to correct me if this isn't what you meant, Bardos.

[Bardos]

The majority of books are writen in 3rd person limited POV, meaning your in one characters head at a time. Omniscient means that you can know the thoughts of two or more characters at a time.

Omniscient Examples: Dragonlance, Dune, Conan, Feist.

[Penumbra]

I have two 1st person short stories currently being displayed at:
scifantastic.tripod.com
One is called "Modal Sojourn." The other is "Cinderfall."

Please take a look and tell me what you think. Thanks to all forum members who make the inquiry.