when you read a book do you rather have the character's point of view or the writers?

Answer 1

This is a great question. Its tricky, because when you are reading a book your are ultimately reading the thoughts of the writer, even if you are reading them through a character. I guess the question is really whether you enjoy books in the first person narrative or the third person narrative. The first person portrays the book through a characters retelling or thought process, whereas the third person has the classic omniscient voice, where there is this one voice that observes everything. Personally, I think I enjoy a first person narrative, although I like both. A first person really lets you examine and get to know a character, but a third person lets you in on everything that is going on in the story, which could include multiple viewpoints and angles. Great question and keep reading!

Answer 2

They are both valid and worth while. It depends on what the writer is trying to achieve. It can be important to the flow and enjoyability of a story if the reader has some knowledge that the character(s) do not. On the other hand, using the POV of the character intensifies some things, like identifying with the character in dangerous situations for example. So there are good reasons for using either one. It’s interesting that in comic books, we get both. We know the hero’s secret identity; we know that Spider Man is neither a criminal nor a menace. But we also know how J. Jonah Jameson feels about him, so we can identify with either of them to some extent.

10 FEB 07, 0640 hrs, GMT.

Answer 3

Logan is right...! on all counts great question!

I don't think I have a preference myself... I seem to read and take in all the sides, angles and I guess "jump" person (point of view) to person....?

Answer 4

both, most often times though the authors view can be seen through the character.