Pros and Cons of Different POVs in Books

I recently picked up The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie for one reason: the book is written with a second-person point of view. For those of you who might not know, second person POV is when the narrator addresses the main character as “you”, which can be seen in the example below:

You eat the food the guard has brought, but the coffee tastes bitter and you put it aside. You go to the window again. This time you notice that there’s a vine growing up the wall just outside the window. It gives you an idea.

(Dinosaur Island by Edward Packard)

I have often seen second-person point of view in the Choose Your Own Adventure series and other similar books that are unique in how they allow the reader to make the choices in the story. However, The Raven Tower is the first “normal” book I have picked up with this unique POV. 

My discovery of The Raven Tower has prompted this new discussion. 

What do I like and dislike about different POVs?

First-Person Point of View

First person narratives used to be my favorite for one reason–or person. Rick Riordan masterfully uses this POV in his Percy Jackson series, and now that I’m older I’ve had time to reflect on what sets him apart.

The greatest advantage of the first-person narrative is that it gives the main character their own voice. The author can relay that character’s thoughts and feelings by using a first-person POV, which makes it easier for the reader to relate or “be” that character in the story. The reason Riordan’s writing stands out is that each of his characters has a distinct voice. I still remember reading the first pages of The Lightning Thief when Percy addresses the reader and thinking, “I’m going to love this book”. I wasn’t wrong.

Another advantage of first person POV is that it allows the main character’s bias to enter the story. I love reading a book and having to question whether the narrator is truly reliable. Of course, even second and third person narrators can be biased, but there is a special tension that comes from wondering if your main character is going insane. 

Ironically, the reason I love first-person narratives is also the reason they often annoy me. Sometimes authors reveal too much about their main character’s thoughts. This distracts from the story and can take away the reader’s ability to form their own opinions. I also hate seeing characters get whiney, which can happen with first-person narratives. The trick is having the narrator’s thoughts enhance the story, rather than overtake it. 

Second-Person Point of View

As I said before, I rarely see this POV in writing, which makes it immediately more interesting. I love when an author is willing to go outside the norm, especially when it comes to using different POVs. There are few examples of second person POV (aside from non-fiction), so I imagine it’s incredibly difficult to write. 

Second person is unique in that it appears to address the reader directly. This strategy makes the story more engaging and fun for the reader. Instead of reading about a fictional character, the writer is saying that YOU are a part of the story. 

I sometimes find second-person narratives hard to read because they address me as I am. When a book says something like “you opened the window”, my natural reaction is to think about what I am doing and realize that no. I am not opening a window. I don’t know if this is a problem that other people have, but it does take me longer to get into a second person POV. 

Third-Person Limited Point of View

I think of this POV as the adult form of first person POV. Most YA novels tend to be first person narratives while most adult novels tend to be third person narratives (in my experience). 

I like third-person limited because it connects me to the main character, but leaves room for interpretation. Third-person narratives have similar advantages as first-person narratives, but with less risk of the story being overtaken by a character’s thoughts. I also like that third person limited allows me to switch perspectives if I need to. If I feel particularly connected to a character, I can imagine myself as them in the story. If a character has thoughts or actions that make me feel distant, I am able to imagine the story with a bird’s eye perspective without losing my interest in the book.

The only disadvantage to third-person limited narratives is that it is often less distinct than other narratives. Most stories are written with third-person limited POV, and the narrative allows the author to write without creating a unique voice. Of course, some authors can get creative with this POV, and not all stories need the narrator to be an additional character. Third-person limited is often used to take attention away from who is speaking so the reader can focus on what is being told.

Third Person Omniscient Point of View

I think third-person omniscient POV is a great way for authors to experiment. I love to see short sections of it used in books, but I’d hesitate to pick up a book with an omniscient narrator.Third-person omniscient is my least favorite narrative, which is ironic because one of my favorite books (The Book Thief) uses this POV. Having an omniscient narrator is definitely unique, but I think there’s a reason it’s rarely used in books.

Having knowledge of every character’s thoughts seems nice, but it takes away the tension of not knowing everything. Plus, it can be distracting when the narrative flips from one perspective to another. Third-person omniscient has only worked for me when the narrator is a character. The Book Thief has an omniscient narrator, but he also has his own voice and opinions that I could focus on during the story.

Wrap Up

I always wonder if other people think about POV as much as I do. I think POV is extremely important, and can mean the difference between an OK book and an amazing story.

What is your favorite POV and why?

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