POV/What I'm reading/James Lee Burke

Good Word said:

So I'm reading my first James Lee Burke novel--In the Moon of Red Ponies.
And I do admire the writing--some really great writing. But the POV (which I'm struggling with in my own work) is a little tough for me. Anybody read this one?

I'm not sure what you call it--first person omniscient?

It's where the POV is of the main character, but then he writes as if he's also inside many of the other characters heads, or as if they told him later every thought they had. It feels strange. Maybe I'll get to the end and find that there is a reason for it.

Comments?

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Good Word said:

So I'm reading my first James Lee Burke novel--In the Moon of Red Ponies.
And I do admire the writing--some really great writing. But the POV (which I'm struggling with in my own work) is a little tough for me. Anybody read this one?

I'm not sure what you call it--first person omniscient?

It's where the POV is of the main character, but then he writes as if he's also inside many of the other characters heads, or as if they told him later every thought they had. It feels strange. Maybe I'll get to the end and find that there is a reason for it.

Comments?

Click to expand...

PerditaDrury said:

Burke uses mixed POV... first person for his MC and then third for scenes where the MC is not present.

A lot of the great mystery writers do the same.

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Linda Adams said:

I've seen that done before and don't care much for it. It's way too jarring switching like that. Plus, the books I've seen it in are long running mystery series that started out only in first and appear to be a way to try revive the series when it's gone stale.

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