A
few weeks back I saw Tony Birch speak about his Miles Franklin nominated novel Blood.I bought a copy of the novel due to Tony being part-indigenous (I have an
evolving interest in novels written by Indigenous Australian or with indigenous
characters in them) and also out of a sense of obligation for him coming all
the way to Wangaratta to give his free talk to a one-third full room.
few weeks back I saw Tony Birch speak about his Miles Franklin nominated novel Blood.I bought a copy of the novel due to Tony being part-indigenous (I have an
evolving interest in novels written by Indigenous Australian or with indigenous
characters in them) and also out of a sense of obligation for him coming all
the way to Wangaratta to give his free talk to a one-third full room.
I
am so glad I felt both the need and obligation to buy it. Blood is an excellent
novel that tells a tragic but hopeful story, with a main character who is so
real, his voice so authentic.
am so glad I felt both the need and obligation to buy it. Blood is an excellent
novel that tells a tragic but hopeful story, with a main character who is so
real, his voice so authentic.
The
novel is narrated by a Jesse a thirteen-year-old part-Indigenous Australian.
The entire book is written in very simple language, the language a thirteen-year-old
would view the world in. For example,
instead of elaborate descriptions of his world, Jesse describes a room as
dirty, or the scenery around a road as having a few pine trees. Jesse is aware
that his mother has sex with strangers and a string of boyfriends, but he is
not really sure what sex involves.
novel is narrated by a Jesse a thirteen-year-old part-Indigenous Australian.
The entire book is written in very simple language, the language a thirteen-year-old
would view the world in. For example,
instead of elaborate descriptions of his world, Jesse describes a room as
dirty, or the scenery around a road as having a few pine trees. Jesse is aware
that his mother has sex with strangers and a string of boyfriends, but he is
not really sure what sex involves.
Jesse
is protective of his eight-year-old sister Rachel and fears what would happen
to her if he ran away. Rachel’s voice is also wonderfully authentic. With a
response of “no” anytime she is asked to do something, which quickly changes
when her brother or mother create a fear of being left out or left behind in
her.
is protective of his eight-year-old sister Rachel and fears what would happen
to her if he ran away. Rachel’s voice is also wonderfully authentic. With a
response of “no” anytime she is asked to do something, which quickly changes
when her brother or mother create a fear of being left out or left behind in
her.
During
his talk Tony Birch said when creating Jesse’s voice, as an author he not only
had to try and think like a thirteen-year-old, but think like a thirteen-year-old
in Jesse’s situation. A thirteen-year-old whose mother is a drunk and hooks up
with men who are either drunks or criminals. A thirteen-year-old who has lived in poverty
all his life, doesn’t know his dad, is constantly on the move, rarely goes to
school, and has no peers to learn life from. And a thirteen-year-old who fears “welfare”
forever separating his sister from him. Birch does a bloody good job of
creating Jesse’s voice. I can see why it was nominated for the Miles Franklin.
his talk Tony Birch said when creating Jesse’s voice, as an author he not only
had to try and think like a thirteen-year-old, but think like a thirteen-year-old
in Jesse’s situation. A thirteen-year-old whose mother is a drunk and hooks up
with men who are either drunks or criminals. A thirteen-year-old who has lived in poverty
all his life, doesn’t know his dad, is constantly on the move, rarely goes to
school, and has no peers to learn life from. And a thirteen-year-old who fears “welfare”
forever separating his sister from him. Birch does a bloody good job of
creating Jesse’s voice. I can see why it was nominated for the Miles Franklin.
Part
of the reason Jesse’s voice is so convincing is the novel is written in first
person, forcing the author to write with words that Jesse would use.
of the reason Jesse’s voice is so convincing is the novel is written in first
person, forcing the author to write with words that Jesse would use.
Writing in First
Person.
Person.
The
past three books I have read and the one I am currently reading are written in
first person. The novels are diverse: How to Live Safely in A Science FIctional
Universe by Charles Yu, Waterboys by Peter Docker, and I am
currently reading 11.22.63 by Stephen King. In fact seven of the last twelve
novels I have read have been written in first person.
past three books I have read and the one I am currently reading are written in
first person. The novels are diverse: How to Live Safely in A Science FIctional
Universe by Charles Yu, Waterboys by Peter Docker, and I am
currently reading 11.22.63 by Stephen King. In fact seven of the last twelve
novels I have read have been written in first person.
Only
a few years ago I was reading articles about how inferior writing in first
person is to writing in third. I was also reading declarations from readers who
would never read a novel written in first person. It was very much suggested
that first person was lazy and for amateurs. But in the past few years first
person has become very much used, especially in the world on non-genre
literature.
a few years ago I was reading articles about how inferior writing in first
person is to writing in third. I was also reading declarations from readers who
would never read a novel written in first person. It was very much suggested
that first person was lazy and for amateurs. But in the past few years first
person has become very much used, especially in the world on non-genre
literature.
I
have attempted writing in both first and third person. I like the way first
person allows me to really get into the thoughts of the narrator. But when I
want to write ambiguous characters that need to hide their thoughts, I prefer
third person. The current novel I am writing is written in a mixture of both –
a method I really enjoyed when reading Margaret Atwood’s The Year of the Flood. I am yet to see a novel told from multiple
points of view written entirely in first person.
have attempted writing in both first and third person. I like the way first
person allows me to really get into the thoughts of the narrator. But when I
want to write ambiguous characters that need to hide their thoughts, I prefer
third person. The current novel I am writing is written in a mixture of both –
a method I really enjoyed when reading Margaret Atwood’s The Year of the Flood. I am yet to see a novel told from multiple
points of view written entirely in first person.
Do
you have a preference?
you have a preference?
0 Responses
Your book sounds interesting Graham. As do the ones you mentioned.
I probably prefer first but of course it depends on the material. I've written in both as well. The last novel I wrote had three first person points of view, but it was divided up quite clearly into three seperate sections. A mix would be quite confusing. Though I'm sure I've come across it somewhere – or perhaps even written it – I can't recall everything I've written.
I really have to get some of these books.
I would be very interested to read a novel with more than one first person point of view. I am sure someone has done it too.
Although Blood is not a YA novel, I reckon anyone writing YA with a teenager character should have a read of it.