Reading with Style discussion

In honor of Alexandria Quartet, read a book told through multiple point of views (POVs).

Please post any questions or comments about task 20.3 in this thread.

This is the task I am unsure about. I think Parade's End fits here. I've only read 76 pages (!!) but so far we've heard from the MC Tietjens, Mcmaster - his friend, Sylvia - his wife, his MIL, and I gather at least one other woman will be appearing soon. However, I don't see a particular mention of multiple POVs in any write ups on the book.

Valerie wrote: "This is the task I am unsure about. I think Parade's End fits here. I've only read 76 pages (!!) but so far we've heard from the MC Tietjens, Mcmaster - his friend, Sylvia - his wife,..."

I have not read it, but looking at the Wikipedia article, I'm guessing that it is predominantly Tietjens, but that the readers will also see things through others' eyes occasionally. But, as I said I haven't read it.

And some list for this one:

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/8...

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/8...

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

The task doesn't say "novel", so would a book of short stories work?

Lagullande wrote: "The task doesn't say "novel", so would a book of short stories work?"

Yes, as will nonfiction.

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Valerie wrote: "This is the task I am unsure about. I think Parade's End fits here. I've only read 76 pages (!!) but so far we've heard from the MC Tietjens, Mcmaster - his friend, Sy..."

I'm reading this too, but I've almost finished. I'd say it's 60-70% Tietjens with chapters from the POV of several other characters, including his wife, another woman, and his brother. They are specific chapters from those points of view, not just occasional switching of POV.

I don't know if that's enough to count for Valerie?

Also, I have a question of my own - does multiple here mean more than one or more than two?

Rosemary wrote: "Also, I have a question of my own - does multiple here mean more than one or more than two?"

More than one. ;-)

Rosemary wrote: "Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Valerie wrote: "This is the task I am unsure about. I think Parade's End fits here. I've only read 76 pages (!!) but so far we've heard from the MC Tietjens..."

Whole chapters are definitely enough.

Some of the 19th century novels have dinner party scenes in which the characters are discussing political or social problems of the time, with differing viewpoints. Would that count? Question 2: would novels written entirely in the first person still have a chance of fitting the task? Thanks.

Owlette wrote: "Some of the 19th century novels have dinner party scenes in which the characters are discussing political or social problems of the time, with differing viewpoints. Would that count? Question 2: wo..."

Q1: the dinner table conversations probably not. But often what follows is a much longer section or chapter from one or more of those who dined together. The answer then, is: it depends.

Q2: It is unlikely that a first person narrative will work for this task, but I have read books that had multiple first person narratives. These would obviously work.

Okay, I might be back after the season begins with more questions. :)

Rosemary wrote: "Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Valerie wrote: "This is the task I am unsure about. I think Parade's End fits here. I've only read 76 pages (!!) but so far we've heard from the MC Tietjens..."

Thank you, Rosemary - I was hoping you would chime in (I saw you were quite a bit ahead of me in the book). That was my sense from the beginning, that I would be hearing from differing POVs.

Putting it out there that Ali Smith’s Seasonal Quartet shifts between characters throughout each book.

Okay, my one confusion that I am having is should this be told from the first person? I am thinking most of the ones I am thinking of move between characters, but not necessarily first person.

Apple wrote: "Okay, my one confusion that I am having is should this be told from the first person? I am thinking most of the ones I am thinking of move between characters, but not necessarily first person."

No. Most first person narratives have only one POV. I have known some novels where alternating chapters are told in the first person by different narrators. This task is more likely told in the 3rd person omniscient where we see the action led by different characters.

Wondering if The City of Mist: Stories will qualify? It is short stories, I am finding it hard to tell how much they are connected, especially since I have not read the rest of this series, but there are recurring characters and notions (? Not quite sure how to express.)

Apple wrote: "Wondering if The City of Mist: Stories will qualify? It is short stories, I am finding it hard to tell how much they are connected, especially since I have not read the rest of this..."

Yes. I think we had not considered short stories when discussing this. This collection, from what I understand of it, should fit the spirit of this task.

Is there any standard way to look at plays for this task? The specific play I'm asking about is Electra by Sophocles. I listened to it and although most of it was told through Electra's pov, I believe there were some sections where Orestes weighs in that might qualify it here. I'm considering some other plays during the season, too, so I'm curious about plays in general as well.

Karen Michele wrote: "Is there any standard way to look at plays for this task? The specific play I'm asking about is Electra by Sophocles. I listened to it and although most of it was told t..."

We will accept this. Other plays may work, but we won't go out on a limb and say all plays work. When the characters in one Scene/Act are not all the same characters as in other Scenes/Acts, that would indicate multiple POV.

Thanks! That sounds like a good way to assess other plays, too. I hope I get to some more, especially August Wilson's work.

Continuing with the discussion about plays and a question: I think Richard II might qualify. For example, the Queen has a scene mostly to herself where she is bemoaning the King leaving. There is a lot of treachery, too, so scenes with one side (Bolingbroke) or the other (King Richard). What do you think?

Another question about a book of short stories

Twenty-Two Malaysian Stories by Lloyd Fernando

Is a collection of short stories by a number of Malaysian writers. Several unconnected stories are written in the first person and others are written with an omniscient narrator. Would this qualify for this task?

PS these are exceptional stories. Well worth a read if you can find the book.

Mary wrote: "Another question about a book of short stories

Twenty-Two Malaysian Stories by Lloyd Fernando

Is a collection of short stories by a number of Malaysian writers. Sev..."

Yes, this title works for 20.3

I'm also reading a book of short stories, The Crime of Miss Oyster Brown and Other Stories. The GR description is not very informative ;) but some of the stories are told from the omniscient POV, while others have the POV of one particular character. Is this OK?

Rosemary wrote: "I'm also reading a book of short stories, The Crime of Miss Oyster Brown and Other Stories. The GR description is not very informative ;) but some of the stories are told from the om..."

Yes. Generally, short stories will work for this task. Again, not going out on a limb and saying all short stories will work, but those that don't work would be in the minority I think.

I think my question got skipped. I posted before Mary.

Owlette wrote: "I think my question got skipped. I posted before Mary."

I'm sorry. The questions about plays was answered above in Post #21.

I see. I guess I thought it was being decided on a case-by-case basis.

Owlette wrote: "I see. I guess I thought it was being decided on a case-by-case basis."

We actually haven’t read all of the plays. We were giving you help on how to determine if the play you are reading fits the task.

I see. Thanks.

I would like to use:

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin.

“follows two friends who collaborate on a video game design and become world-famous successes overnight. The novel spans 30 years and follows the friends throughout their relationship delving into themes of identity, failure, and human connection. This dual-POV novel is a perfectly nostalgic read for the summer.”
https://www.independent.com/2022/07/2...

Mary wrote: "I would like to use:

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin.

“follows two friends who collaborate on a video game design and become world-famous..."

Yes, that has been claimed for 20.3

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Mary wrote: "I would like to use:

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin.

“follows two friends who collaborate on a video game design and become..."

Thank you