Reviews from

The Naive Narrator

Two novels, a hundred years apart

26 total reviews 
Comment from Linda Kay
Excellent
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This was a learning experience for me. As a reader of these two classics, I of course interpreted all of the nuances that the "naive narrators" missed during the tales, but naively myself did not put it together that this was a literary device. I just chalked it up to "good story-telling." You provided an excellent analysis of this technique.

 Comment Written 16-Jun-2015


reply by the author on 16-Jun-2015
    Thanks for the thoughtful response.

    Steve
Comment from Lynne
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Having recently splurged (rather more than I should) is repetitive, splurge suffices)) have on purchasing a tablet (the electronic, not the medical kind) I tinkered with the thing trying to determine what use I could best make of this gadget for our times.

A bit of a run-on.
Perhaps:
Having recently splurged rather more than I should have on purchasing a tablet (the electronic, not the medical kind) I tinkered with the thing trying to determine what use I could best make of this gadget for our times.

Having splurged on a tablet recently, (the electronic kind, not the medicinal kind,) I attempted to tinker with the 'thingy' and determine its usefulness within our family's times.

Excellent imagery, please let me know if you'd like more ideas with regard to structure.
D

 Comment Written 15-Jun-2015


reply by the author on 16-Jun-2015
    Thanks, Lynne.

    Steve
Comment from lalajovanoski
Excellent
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wow
what a powerfully written, well composed piece this is
This is such an amazingly written, finely composed piece. You are very talented. Thank you very much for sharing this, I truly enjoyed reading. I look forward to reading more from you!

 Comment Written 15-Jun-2015


reply by the author on 16-Jun-2015
    Thanks for the very kind review.

    Steve
Comment from Adri7enne
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

That's the wonderful thing about reading one of those old classics with the understanding of a writer. The reader now has a new perspective.

Both Dickens and Lee wrote from the deep POV of the protagonists of the story. The author and the reader see beyond the narrative POV, but the protagonists play out the plot. But the authors make commentaries on the society of the times, allowing the characters to suffer the consequences of the lack of knowledge and understanding of the times. As you say: "we can appreciate the delicate art of using the naive narrator." Well done, Steve. I really enjoyed this post.

 Comment Written 15-Jun-2015


reply by the author on 16-Jun-2015
    Thank you - you're right about reading novels with more insight now - can be a curse, of course!

    Steve
Comment from Walu Feral
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G'day Steve, very interesting stuff mate. Beautifully written as always and very detailed. Personally I must say that is how I have tried to develop my ramblings, by reading the greats, I hoped it has worked some. Well done Sir, cheers Fez

 Comment Written 15-Jun-2015


reply by the author on 16-Jun-2015
    Thanks, Fez.

    Steve
Comment from barkingdog
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You've found an excellent use for your new tablet. There are many classics available on the web which one can read free of charge.
We should read the 'greats' and absorb as much style as possible, but many don't and fall short in developing their skills.

Your essay is a great comparison of two innocent narrative driven books and how the POV can bring new insights and humor to the novel from said naive position.

 Comment Written 14-Jun-2015


reply by the author on 15-Jun-2015
    Thanks, bd! I appreciate the kind words.

    Steve
Comment from c_lucas
Excellent
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An author is duty-bound to entertain his readers and to make the stop and ponder. I was not impressed with "David Copperfield," but I had difficulty putting "A Tale of Two Cities," down. This is very well written with a smooth flow of words.

 Comment Written 14-Jun-2015


reply by the author on 15-Jun-2015
    Thanks, Charlie.

    DC is certainly more leisurely paced and doesn't have the historical interest that Tale of Two Cities has, but in my opinion, Dickens could write about paint drying and make it interesting...

    Thanks for reviewing.

    Steve
reply by c_lucas on 15-Jun-2015
    I agree, Steve and you are welcome.
Comment from chasennov
Excellent
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Two novels, a hundred years apart "The Naive Narrator" Naïve narrator indeed. I think I am a naïve narrator anyway. Maybe I'm even a negative narrator as well. I will try however to study that syndrome of the naïve narrator. Well done.

 Comment Written 14-Jun-2015


reply by the author on 15-Jun-2015
    Thank you!

    Steve
reply by chasennov on 15-Jun-2015
    Welcome, Steve.
Comment from Dean Kuch
Excellent
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All I can say is that this is a very accurate assessment of both Charles Dickens "David Copperfield", and Harper Lee's spectacular classic coming of age story set in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, "To Kill a Mockingbird" (the movie starring Gregory Peck as Addicus is fabulous), Steve. They both happen to be personal favorites of mine. You sum up the plot nicely in Dickens novel, and highlight areas which you felt helped you gain an admiration for the author, as well an appreciate for the ways in which he crafted his story.

It's a well written essay, Steve. Error free and very informative.

~Dean

 Comment Written 14-Jun-2015


reply by the author on 15-Jun-2015
    Dean, thanks for the kind words.

    As you know, I'm not often seen on the prose side of the listings - this one sprang out of nohere...

    Steve
reply by Dean Kuch on 15-Jun-2015
    I noticed that, but heck, nothing wrong with branching out a little, right?
    You're welcome, Steve.
Comment from visionary1234
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Bravo Steve - u get my first six of the week. Fun to see you're just as adept at prose as you are at poetry ... Though I am still waiting for an update on how u are doing with that tablet! ;)S (on my phone).

 Comment Written 14-Jun-2015


reply by the author on 14-Jun-2015
    I find prose to be really hard work while poetry usually just flows out. Humwphistle reckons it's the other way around, but what would he know? Guess I just felt like a change of pace plus it pushes me past 6 posts so I now have a short works ranking...
    The tablet? It gets moderate use - one word game that I play, catching up on news when I'm at work - don't really use it when I'm a home - the laptop is more convenient...

    Thanks for the sixer - I always post when they're running out - at least this one will still be up there when reviewers still have some.

    Steve
reply by visionary1234 on 14-Jun-2015
    Well for me, PLOTTING a story is like squeezing blood out of a stone. Poetry for me flows easily, as does most prose - but ask me to write a STORY ... OH the mental anguish! Do you have an iPad or just a Kindle?
reply by the author on 14-Jun-2015
    Tablet ith Android OS