I always have the best intentions to read what’s new and popular. But with as many books coming out as there are, that’s basically impossible. So eight years later, I’m finally getting around to reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, mostly encouraged by the fact that I didn’t want to see the movie until I read the book.
That said, one of the things about the book that intrigues me is the perspective it’s written from – death. What we would consider “the grim reaper” narrates the book and makes for a very interesting read. Which got me thinking: what other unique perspectives are books written from? Here’s what I came up with:
Books like Art of Racing in the Rain, Black Beauty and War Horse are written from the perspective of the respective animals in each book. Often when my dog gives me an inquisitive look or runs to the door, concerned if I’m leaving without her, I reflect back on these books and how the author captured what our animals may think.
Some books go a step further and bring life to inanimate objects. Titles such as The Collector Collector and Skinny Legs and All tell stories from the perspective of bowls, bean cans, spoons, and more. Imagining all of the things that a bowl can witness, compared to another person per say, these stories can use their unique perspectives to really develop the other characters.
Books like The Lovely Bones and The Brief History of the Dead narrate the story from characters that have already passed away. They speak to the reader from the afterlife just as clearly as those from the current world but the perspective makes for haunting and heart wrenching moments.
As for more unique human perspectives, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is written from an autistic character’s perspective; Feersum Endjinn is written partially in phonetic spelling by a dyslexic character; and Motherless Brooklyn tells its story from the viewpoint of a narrator with Tourette’s Syndrome.
And the list goes on! Books are written from singular body parts, aliens and more. What other books can you think of that have interesting points of view?
Wantrepreneur, wife, adventurer, blogger, wine drinker, avid traveler…in no particular order. Carlene Moore is a Midwestern brain with a California soul. Follow her on Twitter @CarleneEMoore and read her blog here.