Writing a novel using the second-person point of view — where the narrator tells the story to another character using the word “you” — is a difficult feat to pull off. In the wrong hands, it can feel tedious and wearing; in the right hands, it can elevate a novel into something really special, making you, the reader, feel implicated in the tale.
Over the years, I’ve read a number of novels (mainly Irish) that take this point of view, and they’ve all been exceptionally good stories.
You are reading: Books in 2nd person
Here’s a list of books I’ve read that use the second person point of view. they have been arranged in alphabetical order by author’s name; click the title to see my full review.
‘Spill Simmer Falter Wither’ by Sara Baume
This 2015 debut novel follows the up-and-down relationship between one man, a social misfit named Ray, and his rescue dog, whom he calls “One Eye,” through four seasons: the spill, the cook over low heat, the hesitation, withering of the title. Written in the present tense, with Ray directing everything at the dog, it reveals how loss and loneliness can be eased by the love of a loyal pet. but it is also a dark and disturbing look at what can happen to those people who go unnoticed, who never fit in and are misjudged or ostracized by society at large.
‘The Sound of My Voice’ by Ron Butlin
This five-star black comedy, first published in 1987 but reissued in 2018, has a lot to do with the lies we tell ourselves to get ahead. It is narrated by Morris Magallanes, a biscuit factory executive, in a self-deprecating voice full of sophistry and self-delusion. On the surface, it appears that Morris has it all, including an important job, a devoted wife, two children, and a home of his own, but he is a high-achieving alcoholic whose self-destructive behavior is at odds with her own high opinion of him. of himself. The use of second-person narration puts us right in Morris’s head, making us complicit in his crimes and unable to repress the worst of his excesses.
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‘Apple Tree Yard’ by Louise Doughty
Full of twists, turns and unexpected surprises, this dark, smart and sexy psychological courtroom drama thriller is about an illicit affair between a highly successful geneticist and a man she thinks might be a spy. When this exceptionally well-crafted story begins, all we know is that the main character, Yvonne, is in the dock on the old parade ground, facing the murder charge. what we don’t know is who she has murdered and why. The second-person voice used conveys Yvonne’s constant disbelief that her ordinary, boring, and predictable life has come to this. it’s a truly compelling read.
‘Montpelier Parade’ by Karl Geary
Set in Dublin in the 1970s, this is an offbeat tale of forbidden love that is melancholic and bittersweet. written entirely in the second person from the perspective of a teenager, it traces his relationship with a much older woman whom he rescues after a failed suicide attempt. In addition to dealing with their illicit relationship, the novel also explores class differences and what happens when others decide which way to go. perfectly paced, it moves smoothly and poetically towards a harrowing climax. expect to be devastated when you reach the end.
‘the book of ecstasy’ by nikki gemmell
First published in 2009, this strangely unsettling dystopian novel is narrated in the second person by a married woman whose involvement in a top-secret science project has put her life and the lives of her young family in jeopardy. To protect her children from security forces, she drugs them and takes them to a secret hideout. the narrator’s omnipresent voice means she experiences the children’s actions through the loving eyes of her mother, and when she fears for them, the tension builds a bit, making this a particularly poignant read. is a story that explores many themes, including science and religion, but its main theme is the ability of humans to grow and change, to improve.
‘Bright Lights, Big City’ by Jay McInerney
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This dark comedy revolves around a young man living a precarious existence in 1980s New York. His wife has left him, but he keeps this fact a secret from his colleagues and family. by day he works in the fact-checking department of a prestigious magazine; at night he goes clubbing with his best friend, gets high and tries to pick up women for one night stands. the entire narrative, fast-paced and based on a series of scenes, is told in the second person using a voice that is both self-deprecating and pathetic. but while it’s mostly hilarious, the story is undermined by deeper issues related to our need to fit in, to be accepted by our peers and society as a whole without fear of judgment. it’s also a good examination of how important it is to find meaning in our work, play, and relationships. highly recommended.
‘you’ from nuala ni chonchúir
A charming, moving and completely fascinating story about a 10-year-old Irish girl dealing with problems beyond her control: the loss of her best friend who moves to Wales; the impending birth of a new half-brother of her father’s second wife; and a new man in her mother’s life. Set in Dublin in the 1980s, it is told in the present tense and in the second person from the point of view of the girl, who is feisty, funny, headstrong, brash, and fiercely independent. you get immersed in the story because of her voice and you get to experience everything she experiences, which makes her story feel particularly immediate, heartbreaking and real.
‘ghost light’ by joseph o’connor
ghost light traces the rise and fall of real-life irish catholic actress maire o’neill (1885-1952), who performed under the stage name molly allgood and was engaged to playwright john millington synge, a Protestant 14 years older than her. . Told in the second person, it is an intimate account of Molly’s life from her time as the rising star of the Abbey Theater to a now elderly woman living in London, in such dire straits that she is willing to sell her most precious possession. prized: a love letter from synge, in exchange for a bottle of alcohol. Molly’s energetic and humorous voice, coupled with her despair, her poverty, and her alcohol dependency, make her story incredibly moving.
Have you read any of these books? Or can you recommend a great novel written in the second person?
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