POV from beyond the grave

Klazart · Aug 13, 2007

In my current WIP I have 3 main point of view charecters. One of these charecters tells his part of the story in first person. The problem is that the character dies at the end of the novel. Do I need to explain how it is that that character can tell their story in first person or will readers simply accept that jump as part of the story?

I thought of alternatives like - MC kept a diary, or MC is telling the story of what brings him to the point near the end, but they feel cliched.

What do you guys think?

scarletpeaches · Aug 13, 2007

There is a film I can think of that does something similar, but I don't want to name it in case I spoiler it for people.

But it's been done before. The entire story was told in flashback from the dead character's POV.

Bufty · Aug 13, 2007

Didn't one of Orson Wells' films do that, I think. The title escapes me but the name Rosebud figured in the story.

In a book, however, if it's a first person narration I would assume the narrator is alive and has survived to express his experiences, unless advised to the contrary at an early stage. To learn in the last paragraph that 'Now I'm dead' or 'Hope whoever finds and reads this enjoys it' would be a tad disappointing, I think.

kristie911 · Aug 13, 2007

Wasn't The Lovely Bones written this way? Except it was clear from the beginning the narrator was dead.

Willowmound · Aug 13, 2007

Filth by Irvine Welsh did this.

Azraelsbane · Aug 13, 2007

My first novel is first person from someone who has already died. The second line of the book is: Yeah, those were the last words I spoke before buying a one-way ticket to the great beyond.

So I let the reader know up front, but it's not mandatory, and I don't think it's mandatory to let the reader know how that's possible either. You find out how at the end of my story, when it goes into her afterlife, but none of my betas ever had a problem with knowing she was dead from the beginning without an explanation.

Shadow_Ferret · Aug 13, 2007

Bufty said:
Didn't one of Orson Wells' films do that, I think. The title escapes me but the name Rosebud figured in the story.

Citizen Kane. But although the main character dies in the beginning, the story isn't told from his POV, it is told, I believe, from the reporter's POV as he tries to research the man's life to find to out who Rosebud was.

And I've always been told that killing a first person POV character at the end of a story is a big no-no since the reader assumes the character is still alive and well to be able to tell his story.

I know I'd be angry to find out the character was dead and yet somehow telling a story.

But fiction is about breaking the rules. Do what works for the story.

Marion · Aug 13, 2007

"I see dead people"

Penguin Queen · Aug 13, 2007

Klazart said:
In my current WIP I have 3 main point of view charecters. One of these charecters tells his part of the story in first person. The problem is that the character dies at the end of the novel. Do I need to explain how it is that that character can tell their story in first person or will readers simply accept that jump as part of the story?

I dont see a problem with a story told by somebody who is dead all along; or even who dies half-way through but continues to hang around and take an interest in things. I'm not sure about somebody kinda fading out at the end.

The narrator in Rosemary Sutcliffe's "Song for a Dark Queen" dies at the end of the book, & it did strike me as a little bit contrived the way he goes, "And then I heard nothing any more. Nothing any more." So he was telling us h was dying & his senses were fading -- but he was still narrating this fact. I found that a bit unelegant. Is yours going to die and not be heard of again? Or does s/he keep on talking?

Stew21 · Aug 13, 2007

Boleyn Inheritance.
The author uses three first person narratives. One of them narrates her part all the way up until they chopped off her head.
I think it's doable.

maestrowork · Aug 13, 2007

Lovely Bones. Sunset Blvd. American Beauty... On the other hand, they all told us upfront that they were already dead.

The problem with first person and not telling the readers until the end when they find out the first person character died... the readers may feel betrayed. In such a case, sometimes I prefer present tense (I know, don't start the debate again!) so that if the character does die in the end, it's not as contrived and coy.

Klazart · Aug 13, 2007

thanks for all the input you guys. I think i'm gonna stick with it and see how it goes

amber_grosjean · Aug 13, 2007

I have seen a movie that was like this. I think there was a book for it. Can't remember the name though lol.

Throughout the movie it shows the characters acting normal, there was a thing about the doors not being closed at the same time which was kind of weird but intrigueing. Then at the end, the characters find out they were dead all that time which pulled me in even more because it finally explained a few things and everything just fell into place. I would watch the movie again if it came on. It was a great story and kept me there the whole time.

I am really more of a visual person. It would take me some time to read the book and I lose interest sometimes. Then I watch the movie and end up loving it. I'm just weird I guess lol.

Danger Jane · Aug 13, 2007

Tell it in present tense?

Shady Lane · Aug 13, 2007

Danger Jane said:
Tell it in present tense?

Careful. You might get held at gunpoint just for suggesting that.

Zoombie · Aug 13, 2007

Then you'll have to point the gun at me too...

Shady Lane · Aug 13, 2007

Me too, babe.

farfromfearless · Aug 13, 2007

Read the book "Alice Sebold" by Alice Sebold, it takes a very interesting approach to POV from the dead.

farfromfearless · Aug 13, 2007

amber_grosjean said:
I have seen a movie that was like this. I think there was a book for it. Can't remember the name though lol.

Throughout the movie it shows the characters acting normal, there was a thing about the doors not being closed at the same time which was kind of weird but intrigueing. Then at the end, the characters find out they were dead all that time which pulled me in even more because it finally explained a few things and everything just fell into place. I would watch the movie again if it came on. It was a great story and kept me there the whole time.

I am really more of a visual person. It would take me some time to read the book and I lose interest sometimes. Then I watch the movie and end up loving it. I'm just weird I guess lol.

It sounds like the movie "The Others" starring Nicole Kidman and ... well "Others".

kristie911 · Aug 13, 2007

farfromfearless said:
It sounds like the movie "The Others" starring Nicole Kidman and ... well "Others".

That was probably the one time I hated finding out someone was actually dead...usually I like that kind of twist. But I hated that movie so much, I think I was hoping someone would kill Nicole Kidman by the end. Lo and behold, she was already dead. Damn.

Danger Jane · Aug 13, 2007

Shady Lane said:
Careful. You might get held at gunpoint just for suggesting that.

Oh, who cares, it's a valid suggestion.

maestrowork · Aug 13, 2007

Danger Jane said:
Oh, who cares, it's a valid suggestion.

Yeah. that's exactly why I love Fight Club. The present tense works.

Shady Lane · Aug 13, 2007

maestrowork said:
Yeah. that's exactly why I love Fight Club. The present tense works.

Love present tense. Love Fight Club.

ETA: View my location. (I still think Jack is funnier than Joe.)

Devil Ledbetter · Aug 13, 2007

Shady Lane said:
Love present tense. Love Fight Club.

ETA: View my location. (I still think Jack is funnier than Joe.)

Hmm, love Fight Club, hate present tense here.

maestrowork · Aug 13, 2007

Fight Club simply wouldn't have worked in past tense.

POV from beyond the grave

Where have the last ten years gone?

Happy to be here

Lightly salted

Agony is defeat

Court Jester

Break the rules.

Fear the Death Ray

AW Addict

my name is hannah

Dragon of the Multiverse

my name is hannah

Happy to be here

Fear the Death Ray

my name is hannah

Come on you stranger, you legend,

Fear the Death Ray