The 52 Book Club: 2025 / 2026 Challenge discussion

16. An Omniscient Narrator

What is an omniscient narrator? Omniscient means “all-knowing.” Omniscient narrators know what is happening at all times throughout the book. They know the thoughts, feelings, and backstories of all the characters (or a specific character or character group for limited omniscient.) Usually, omniscient narrators are written in third person (he/she/they/them) but there are a few exceptions to this. (For example, The Book Thief, which is narrated by death.)

A few tips for working out whether or not you have an omniscient narrator:

– Does the voice remain the same throughout the novel? You may explore the perspectives of multiple characters, but the narrator’s voice should use the same language and tone while exploring the story with each character.

– Whose perspectives do we see? Books with omniscient narrators often have multiple, varied perspectives. You may see the thoughts or feelings from multiple characters, even in the same scene.

– Is the narrator all-knowing? Is there anything in the book that the narrator doesn’t know? Does the narrator provide details about what’s happened in the past and what’s currently happening? Are we being told things that the characters couldn’t or wouldn’t know? For example: You may see sentences like: “Little did he know, the killer was already waiting for him…”

– Web search! When in doubt, a quick web search with the book title “+ narration style” may help clarify whether or not you have an omniscient narrator.


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Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

I'm going to re-read my all time favorite ARC of the year, The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton!

Patricia Engel – Infinite Country

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

Lindsey wrote: "I'm planning on reading The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien"

Thank you for the suggestion, I have only seen clips of the movies, but never read the book.

I'm going to read Charlotte's web.....one of my all time favorite books!

Nicole Brown wrote: "I'm going to re-read my all time favorite ARC of the year, The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton!"

Oooh, that sounds like a great book! I've added it to my queue

My read will probably be the next In Death novel by JD Robb (aka Nora Roberts).

I’m going to be reading the picture of Dorian Gray

I’m planning to read “Good Omens” by Terry Pratchett.

just added Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow to my list

I will read Babel

FInally "Dune"

This one will be The Picture of Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde.

I plan on reading Foundation by Isaac Asimov.

Daughter of The Moon Goddess

My book choice is World War Z by Max Brooks

I’m reading The Little Liar by Mitch Albom. The narrator is Truth. Another good one is The Book Thief, which is narrated by Death.

I will be reading The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer

I'm currently reading The Ogress and The Orphans by Kelly Barnhill. It's a children's book from my daughter's collection. I think it fits well into this prompt.

I'm thinking of A Fire Endless, but I want to dig up my copy first and double-check that it actually works for this one. Does anyone happen to know?

I'll be reading Malibu Rising for this one. I'll borrow or purchase it, and it will cover several other prompts.

Think I'll do Bill Bryson's Notes from a Small Island for this one. Notes from a Small Island

Kingdom Keepers Inheritance: The Shimmer by Ridley Pearson - 4/5
I loved the series and was glad the follow-up packed a strong punch.

I read Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow. This was an obvious 5 stars for me.

I read Violeta by Isabel Allende for this topic. I'm trying to read more of the books I already own and seeing where they fit.

I read Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel. Loved it!

Sasha wrote: "I'm currently reading The Ogress and The Orphans by Kelly Barnhill. It's a children's book from my daughter's collection. I think it fits well into this prompt."

Yes this one came to mind for me too! Love that book

I've challenged myself to finally finish The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: A Trilogy in Four Parts this time I'll go with Life, the Universe and Everything

Would you consider Everyone in my Family Has Killed Someone to fall under this category?

My choice: THE VANISHING HALF by Brit Bennett

I read The 9th Judgement by Maxine Paetro and James Patterson. I had started reading this one when my kids were toddlers (about 10-12 years ago), so I found it really hard to read about young mothers and babies being victimized. I was finally able to restart and finish it now! I enjoy this series. Maybe I'll be able to catch up on it again!

I read Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart for this prompt.

I read The Hideaway by Dean Koontz and it does have an omniscient narrator, but I don’t recommend it. I was very disappointed by Koontz. Read Cold Fire instead. It is much better.

Does "The Arctic Fury" by Greer Macallister fall into this?

I read The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, 5 Stars

Does anyone know if The Giver of Stars would be considered an omniscient narrator?

Brooke wrote: "Does anyone know if The Giver of Stars would be considered an omniscient narrator?"
I don't believe it is. If I remember it is from the POV of the main character

Would Poor Things count?

Tokoro wrote: "Would Poor Things count?"

It is has an unreliable narrator so does not fit well under this prompt.

I am reading The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride for this prompt.

The Fury by Alex Michaelides

I read Stardust by Neil Gaiman

Rachel wrote: "I read Stardust by Neil Gaiman"

I love, love, love the movie, and have been curious about the book.

I read Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson for this prompt.

I think Nineteen Minutes could fall into at least 5 of the prompts for this year, but I chose to put it in this one. I gave it 5 stars, which I seldom do.