Multiple POVs seem to be the rule instead of the exception these days, you're right. Part of it is the "angles" aspect, part of it is the liberation that more than one POV allows - expanding the narrative beyond what the main protagonist can see/feel. It's interesting that the omniscient POV (so common in 19th, early 20th century literature) has almost completely disappeared. Readers don't want to be lectured or told what to feel, they want to be in the shoes of the characters, just more than one pair of shoes...
Great points. Multiple POV is the standard in fantasy and probably in sci-fi too. I don't think it's widespread in romance yet, but I don't follow it so I'm not sure. It's fun to read but it creates extra work for authors to elaborate all those voices, don't you think?
I write crime, and it's widespread. I don't find it harder, I find it liberating. It's playful to switch personalities. Imagine that you can be the hero detective, the femme fatale and the villain, side by side... Or the cop and the robber... Very satisfying! In short stories, however, I stick to one POV, To draw the readers in faster.
Another interesting essay! In my current work in progress I use a character's journal as a second POV. Your piece reminds/challenges me to create more dissonance between the two POV's. That should not be difficult, since the journal is written by the daughter of the protagonist.
I hate multiple POVs. Give me a nice linear flow, no jumping around. A small amount of thoughts/opinions for individuals is fine but not whole threads.
I agree there's something comforting in single perspective stories. Also I suspect multiple POV narration forces authors to put much of their energy into creating voices so less energy is left over for symbolism, structure and other fun stuff.
Multiple POVs seem to be the rule instead of the exception these days, you're right. Part of it is the "angles" aspect, part of it is the liberation that more than one POV allows - expanding the narrative beyond what the main protagonist can see/feel. It's interesting that the omniscient POV (so common in 19th, early 20th century literature) has almost completely disappeared. Readers don't want to be lectured or told what to feel, they want to be in the shoes of the characters, just more than one pair of shoes...
Great points. Multiple POV is the standard in fantasy and probably in sci-fi too. I don't think it's widespread in romance yet, but I don't follow it so I'm not sure. It's fun to read but it creates extra work for authors to elaborate all those voices, don't you think?
I write crime, and it's widespread. I don't find it harder, I find it liberating. It's playful to switch personalities. Imagine that you can be the hero detective, the femme fatale and the villain, side by side... Or the cop and the robber... Very satisfying! In short stories, however, I stick to one POV, To draw the readers in faster.
Another interesting essay! In my current work in progress I use a character's journal as a second POV. Your piece reminds/challenges me to create more dissonance between the two POV's. That should not be difficult, since the journal is written by the daughter of the protagonist.
I hate multiple POVs. Give me a nice linear flow, no jumping around. A small amount of thoughts/opinions for individuals is fine but not whole threads.
I agree there's something comforting in single perspective stories. Also I suspect multiple POV narration forces authors to put much of their energy into creating voices so less energy is left over for symbolism, structure and other fun stuff.