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point of view (non-fiction)
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From: Steven
Date: Tue, 24 Nov 1998 09:09:40 PST
I agree with Eliza T. Dresang...there's great potential for multiple points of view in non-fiction. "Crossing the Delaware: A History in Many Voices" by Louise Peacock looked at that historical event in three ways: a modern day narrator tours the house that Washington stayed in and imagines what the events must have been like; a fictional soldier writes a series of letters before and after the events; and historical quotes from a variety of people are interspersed. The illustrations also come from two "viewpoints," oil paintings done by a contemporary artist (Walter Krudop) and reproductions of historical painings and engravings. This wasn't as exciting as a Jim Murphy or a Rhoda Blumberg book, but the multiple perspectives offered a different and useful look at a historical event. I get suspicious when facts and fiction are mixed in a history book, but when it's always clear which is which (and it was in this case), it can be effective and maybe reach some readers who are put off by straight factual narratives.
-------------------------------------------------------Steven Engelfried, West Linn Public Library 1595 Burns Streeet West Linn, OR 97068 ph: 503e6x57 fax: 503e6'46 e-mail: steven at westlinn.lib.or.us
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Received on Tue 24 Nov 1998 11:09:40 AM CST
Date: Tue, 24 Nov 1998 09:09:40 PST
I agree with Eliza T. Dresang...there's great potential for multiple points of view in non-fiction. "Crossing the Delaware: A History in Many Voices" by Louise Peacock looked at that historical event in three ways: a modern day narrator tours the house that Washington stayed in and imagines what the events must have been like; a fictional soldier writes a series of letters before and after the events; and historical quotes from a variety of people are interspersed. The illustrations also come from two "viewpoints," oil paintings done by a contemporary artist (Walter Krudop) and reproductions of historical painings and engravings. This wasn't as exciting as a Jim Murphy or a Rhoda Blumberg book, but the multiple perspectives offered a different and useful look at a historical event. I get suspicious when facts and fiction are mixed in a history book, but when it's always clear which is which (and it was in this case), it can be effective and maybe reach some readers who are put off by straight factual narratives.
-------------------------------------------------------Steven Engelfried, West Linn Public Library 1595 Burns Streeet West Linn, OR 97068 ph: 503e6x57 fax: 503e6'46 e-mail: steven at westlinn.lib.or.us
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Received on Tue 24 Nov 1998 11:09:40 AM CST
