5 Comments
User's avatar
Sandy Shaller's avatar

I love lots of dialogue in a book. Having a first person narrator gives tremendous meaning to "The Great Gatsby," "Catcher in the Rye," and Shirley Jackson's remarkable "I Have Always Lived in the Castle." Thank you for an interesting reflection.

Expand full comment
Michelle Levy's avatar

My daughter’s reading Gatsby now for school. I got to page through it to help her find quotes for an essay.

Expand full comment
Alle C. Hall's avatar

Thanks for your thoughts, Sandy. A question: do you mean you like the presence of a first-person narrator in addition to the dialogue in book?

Expand full comment
Sandy Shaller's avatar

Exactly. ON THE ROAD also has a terrific first person narrator, Jack Kerouac with a literary name.

Expand full comment
Alle C. Hall's avatar

To push back a tad: I re-read OTR a few years ago. It struck me that despite the breaking into a new form of literature- not to be underrated!! - JK could have used a touch of editing.

Expand full comment