Narrator and protagonist?

Discuss the June 2017 Book of the Month, Superhighway by Alex Fayman. Superhighway is the first book in the Superhighway Trilogy, so feel free to use this forum to discuss not only the first book but also the other books in the series.

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Jaime Lync
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Narrator and protagonist?

Post by Jaime Lync »

Superhighway is written in the first person perspective, where our main character, Alex Fine, is also the main character. I read an Amazon review where the reviewer claimed that it seemed like a 'whine fest'. Do you think that this book could have been better told from the third person perspective or maybe had another character instead of the protagonist be the narrator?
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Post by kandscreeley »

Actually. I think that would have been a great idea. Not because I think he was whinny, but because I think it would have given it a fresh perspective. It would have been something a little different. Maybe we would have gotten the story told from someone outside and seen more what it was like for them...
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Post by Donnavila Marie01 »

Yes. I think, it would have been better if the protagonist does not do the narration because I find it not that effective in this story. Though, this is fresh from the oven style. It might work with others.
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Post by Jaime Lync »

Donnavila Marie01 wrote:Yes. I think, it would have been better if the protagonist does not do the narration because I find it not that effective in this story. Though, this is fresh from the oven style. It might work with others.

Fresh from the oven style - I really like that expression, just had to say. Maybe if there was a mixture of both third and first person narrative in this more people might have found it appealing.
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Post by Donnavila Marie01 »

This situation affected me so much in book 2 because I don't feel comfortable with the thought that, Alex Fine is examined and the scientists were navigating his mind but he does the narration. How did he witness all the procedures?
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Post by Jaime Lync »

Donnavila Marie01 wrote:This situation affected me so much in book 2 because I don't feel comfortable with the thought that, Alex Fine is examined and the scientists were navigating his mind but he does the narration. How did he witness all the procedures?
That my friend is a good question. I haven't read the second book so I'm hoping that there is a good explanation for what you just brought to light.
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Post by Heidi M Simone »

I'm not sure if it would have changed much because it would still be the same story with the same situations occurring. I saw the review that referred Alex as a 'whine fest', which I actually do agree with, especially toward the end - he was fairly whiny/unhappy about the consequences to his actions.
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Post by Amagine »

Personally, I probably would've likes the story more if I wasn't in Alex's head. I didn't really care much for him as a character. If it was written in third person, my feelings toward him would be the same but being in his head made him slightly unbearable.
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Post by MrsCatInTheHat »

Jaime Lync wrote:Superhighway is written in the first person perspective, where our main character, Alex Fine, is also the main character. I read an Amazon review where the reviewer claimed that it seemed like a 'whine fest'. Do you think that this book could have been better told from the third person perspective or maybe had another character instead of the protagonist be the narrator?
I did not see a "whine fest" but rather a young man's feelings coming out during extreme circumstances. I think it worked well for Alex to be both the protagonist and the narrator. It is what engaged me as a reader. I don't think it would have been the same story if told by someone else.
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Post by Christina O Phillips »

I think I would have liked the story better if I weren't seeing it through Alex's eyes. He is whiny. He feels over confident and just not likable.
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Post by Ashie »

I haven't read this as yet but I think I would prefer if the narrator and the protagonist were not the same person. It sort of takes away from the credibility of the story, I think.
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Post by lencer anyango owuor »

yes it wuold have better for so that the story is from the witness rather than the protagonist
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Post by Shelle »

Donnavila Marie01 wrote:This situation affected me so much in book 2 because I don't feel comfortable with the thought that, Alex Fine is examined and the scientists were navigating his mind but he does the narration. How did he witness all the procedures?
That's a great point! I didn't even think of that, but you're so right.
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Post by Pm7lucas »

I didn't mind that the story was told by Alex himself. I'm not sure a different point of view could have gotten the story across the same way.

I really didn't like Alex's character. I think he was too immature to be dealing with these circumstances.

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Post by dbulkley »

I would agree with the third person aspect. Would have made Alex more likable!
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