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Miracle Creek


A thrilling debut novel about how far we'll go to protect our families, and our ...
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Why do you suppose the author chose to use first-person narration in the opening chapter and third-person for the rest? Did this influence your reading of the early sections of the book?

Created: 04/16/20

Replies: 9

Posted Apr. 16, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

Why do you suppose the author chose to use first-person narration in the opening chapter and third-person for the rest? Did this influence your reading of the early sections of the book?

In the opening chapter of Miracle Creek, Young narrates her version of events on the evening of the HBOT explosion. Why do you suppose the author chose to use first-person narration here, when the rest of the book is written in the third-person? Did this technique influence your reading of the early sections of the book?


Posted Apr. 17, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
maureen

Join Date: 04/17/20

Posts: 4

RE: Why do you suppose the author chose to use first-person narration in the opening chapter and third-person for the rest? Did this influence your reading of the early sections of the book?

This is just my interpretation but I felt that Young (1st person narrator of “The Incident”) represented the reader as a direct witness to “the incident” and one without bias for or against any of the characters. She too is constantly trying to uncover more information, resolve discrepancies and understand characters’ behavior.
She also, ultimately, is the moral core of the story.


Posted Apr. 17, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
maureen

Join Date: 04/17/20

Posts: 4

RE: Why do you suppose the author chose to use first-person narration in the opening chapter and third-person for the rest? Did this influence your reading of the early sections of the book?

This is just my interpretation but I felt that Young (1st person narrator of “The Incident”) represented the reader as a direct witness to “the incident” and one without bias for or against any of the characters. She too is constantly trying to uncover more information, resolve discrepancies and understand characters’ behavior.
She also, ultimately, is the moral core of the story.


Posted Apr. 20, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Borntoread

Join Date: 09/04/18

Posts: 38

RE: Why do you suppose the author chose to use first-person narration in the opening chapter and third-person for the rest? Did this influence your reading of the early sections of the book?

I think that starting the book with Young's first-person retelling of the incident is a brilliant way to begin, because it limits what we know to what Young observes that night. That way, we gradually learn more as each character's story unfolds and as the trial progresses. This opening also establishes Young as the anchor for the entire narrative. The book begins and ends with Young.


Posted Apr. 20, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
dorinned

Join Date: 10/13/14

Posts: 176

RE: Why do you suppose the author chose to use first-person narration in the opening chapter and third-person for the rest? Did this influence your reading of the early sections of the book?

Young as narrator in the first chapter established the reader's understanding of the "Incident." The first sentence: "My husband asked me to lie." implanted in the reader's mind that something was afoot. Switching to third person for the rest of the book made the transition of each chapter being told from the viewpoint of one of the characters established the reader's investigation of each person's role in the "Incident." Quite a clever method on the part of the author to keep the reader guessing until the very end of the book.


Posted Apr. 20, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
sylviaann

Join Date: 01/14/18

Posts: 66

RE: Why do you suppose the author chose to use first-person narration in the opening chapter and third-person for the rest? Did this influence your reading of the early sections of the book?

Most likely because the opening establishes Young as the anchor for the entire narrative. The book begins and ends with her. And, switching to third person for the rest of the book made the transition of each chapter being told from the viewpoint of one of the characters established my thoughts/ investigation of each person's role in the "Incident." A smart move on the part of the author to keep the reader guessing until the very end of the book.


Posted Apr. 21, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
jamiek

Join Date: 11/21/17

Posts: 53

RE: Why do you suppose the author chose to use first-person narration in the opening chapter and third-person for the rest? Did this influence your reading of the early sections of the book?

Every chapter begins with a person's narrative—hers was the first. Also, by beginning with her, the author can go full circle as she both cleverly sets the stage for what is about to unfold and reveals the final outcome.


Posted Apr. 21, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
turtle1

Join Date: 04/21/20

Posts: 4

RE: Why do you suppose the author chose to use first-person narration in the opening chapter and third-person for the rest? Did this influence your reading of the early sections of the book?

The first person narration led the reader to want to know more of the story. Why did Young's husband lie to her?
Her dilemma of not knowing how to operate the Miracle Submarine set the scene for the rest of the story. The tension was palatable for Young between feeling untrained to operate the machine, but wanting to help her husband. The first person narration was perfect for conveying the tension and Young's fears.


Posted Apr. 28, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
rebeccar

Join Date: 03/13/12

Posts: 548

RE: Why do you suppose the author chose to use first-person narration in the opening chapter and third-person for the rest? Did this influence your reading of the early sections of the book?

This narration choice allowed the immediate introduction of a cover-up ("my husband asked me to lie") which helps to draw the reader into the story. It also makes the reader more aware of the numerous untruths in the future.


Posted Apr. 30, 2020 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
joang

Join Date: 05/17/12

Posts: 94

RE: Why do you suppose the author chose to use first-person narration in the opening chapter and third-person for the rest? Did this influence your reading of the early sections of the book?

I have to agree...the opening sentence sucks you right in. A great way to begin!


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