Story writing: point of view

[Deleted member jedakk]

Ok I’m reading a book right now (The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin) which is mostly written in second-person historic-present.. and it’s driving me nuts. “You do this.. and then you go there.. and you think this..”. I’m like, stop f*cking telling me what I’m thinking!!! AAARRRGH. Full disclosure, I hate historic-present anyway.. but coupled with this 2nd-person stuff, it’s horrific.
Anyone else encountered this hideous abomination? I’ll keep reading because the world-building is interesting and I think there’s a big identity-related twist coming, which might (possibly) justify the 2nd person narrative, but probably won’t.

I read that whole series and yes, it's sometimes hard to tell just who the hell is doing the narration! My memory now is hazy, but I think you eventually learn that the narrator is one of the Stone Eaters. Then it makes sense because he's talking to the other characters in the story, whom he addresses as "you" while we, as readers, watch from the outside. So thinking back on it, I believe it's actually being told from the first-person POV although the narrator never says "I" until maybe near the end when you learn his history.

 

[Glenarvon]

Interesting question ... generally I like a victim point of view... a big problem is that your descriptions cannot be very aesthetical/erotic, and you miss some moments (f.e. when she's unconscious or off stage...). A executioner point of view, on the contrary, cannot show victim's real feelings and sensations. Plus, I've some difficult to empathize with the narrator, if he's a sadistic/brutal character... so, often i prefer a "watcher" point of view (for example a reluctant helper, a aloof or tormented co-executioner, a slave girl who follow her friend's trials...). The third person could be a bit cold, but it's a very pratical and effective solution.

 

[poem21045]

In terms of crucifixion, this is my preferred point of view.