Thursday, January 2, 2014

A scene painted with perspectives

Chapter XVIII of River of Stars is a prime example of Kay's putting multiple perspective characters to good use. This chapter details the meeting with Emperor Wenzong in which returning to war in the north is discussed. In it Kay jumps from Lu Mah, the nephew of the emissary Lu Chao to Ziji to Ren.

Perhaps one of the reasons I enjoyed this chapter as much as I did is because giving three different perspectives on a single event is something that books do best. Movies and TV do it as well, but in those instances the sense of immediacy you get from a book is difficult to muster, since the human mind is more apt to associate time moving forward with bodies in motion than with words being read. Plus, this chapter is just what an author using multiple perspective characters should do: Create a scene lush with experiences rather than description. Though, that is, with the caveat that painting with perspectives rather than words can be overdone.

A book that only recounted a handful of events through different characters' perspectives would be interesting. But, it also wouldn't be as effective as this chapter is. Giving us three perspectives on the presence of the Emperor and the sensation of being in his meeting chamber really drives home the majesty and air of importance about the man. Not to mention the import of the gathering therein.

Such use of perspective is almost like writing a description of the place, but in reactions, actions, emotions, and dialogue than in plain words. And much of its effect comes from how scarce such chapters are in fiction in general.

No comments:

Post a Comment