Narrator Style Important?
Bruce Cook
Publisher - Reservebooks.com, VP/Founder Worldwide Peace Organization (WWPO. org)
Can narrator style make a novel successful?
Consider Barbara Kingsolver’s 2022 book, Demon Copperhead.
The casual reader might object to this characterization of Dicken’s David Copperfield. However, the book has been well received. Kingsolver is an author who pops up in Oprah’s Book Club. Check Molly Young’s October 20, 2022, review in New York Times.
Starting this read, one is satisfied with structural elements of conflict, setting, characterization, history plot– as well they would be with David Copperfield.
But, surprise! This book absolutely stands out when it comes to narrator style. If for no other reason, the reader is spellbound with the voice of narrator Damon Fields, whose language so perfectly reflects southwest Viriginia in the 80’s. It’s ?like understanding a dialect when you just understand a foreign language. Damon’s expression has vivid imagery.
I’m not the only reviewer that noticed this. Consider the review in Goodreads by Liz (December 12, 2022). Quoting: “OMG! The language! [Kingsolver’s] way with words is beyond description.”
Perhaps this isn’t completely new, as anyone reading Samuel Clemens would know. But I didn’t expect it in current fiction.
This novel has admirable characterization, setting, and even plot, but what makes it really stand out is the main character’s expression, and he is the narrator.
Take a look at this book and try to infuse your own fiction with high imagery in dialogue. It’s well worth your time!
Scholar of Gonville & Caius College of the University of Cambridge (UK)
1 年?https://gogetfunding.com/phd-studies-at-university-of-cambridge/
Publisher - Reservebooks.com, VP/Founder Worldwide Peace Organization (WWPO. org)
1 年So often with new writers, all characters sound just like the writer- no differentian. Then the narrator sound is interesting as well!
Freelance Writer & Editor/Published Author/ Founder of Creative Elegance/Blogger/Passionate Pianist, and Singer/Trained in Indian Classical Dance/Online Course Instructor.
1 年Quite provoking thought discussed. Being a reader, reviewer, and writer, I would analyze the writing intention and purpose of writing. The problem only emerges when readers are not open to different styles and not flexible to the theme.
novelist
1 年That's a good question to ask of writers, struggling with first or early novels, and even of any novelist or author. Also, consistency is most important in voice unless the voice means to undergo a change due to plot circumstances. It can happen, but needs considerable care in its roll-out. And usually the original voice will be permanent, waiting in the wings to rise again. First scenes, opening paragraphs even, set the stage in the reader's head for the entire play. After that, the writer's challenge is to carry off whatever deviations the plot presents to satisfy reader's expectations in one way or another by the end.