In the Lake of the Woods - Book Report/Review Example

In the hypotheses chapters, O’Brian has presented quotes from real books and reports (The My Lai court-martials, histories, psychological books political biographies) and fictional sources (characters in the novel).As I see, the main aspect of the novel that grabs the readers and doesn’t let them go without completing it is its POV (Point of view). Usually, authors use ‘one’ point of view as a tool to convey the mood and outlook they want to portray through their writing.

However, a writer can even use first, second and third point of views together to diversify his storyline, which is what O’Brian has done in the discoursed novel. The element that gives this novel the feel of a first-person narrative, despite the fact that it is written in the third person is the ‘footnotes’. These are the footnotes that are included in the chapters and in which the narrator identifies himself and discusses his reasons for writing the story. Also, he tells the problems he has encountered while writing it as the narrator has selected and organized the shreds of evidence to reveal thematic links between individual pieces of evidence, the main narrative, and his theories.

Consequently, the unique blend of two different points of views is the essence of “In the Lake of the Woods”.Citations:"Literature -- Exploring Point of View." Teacher Professional Development and Teacher Resources by Annenberg Media. Web. 06 Dec. 2010. <http://www.learner.org/interactives/literature/read/pov2.html>."Literature -- Exploring Point of View." Teacher Professional Development and Teacher Resources by Annenberg Media. Web. 06 Dec. 2010. <http://www.learner.org/interactives/literature/read/pov2.html>.