BtDS 4

What is good and bad about the writing style of BtDS?

I think that the writing style is very fun to read because it is in the first person of the pitcher, Henry Wiggen. There are certain things that, as readers, we get to hear or see because they are things that Wiggen is thinking about. These things can be small observations that enhance the plot and make the book more enjoyable to read. The fact that the book is written in the first person is good because the plot moves as Wiggen's life does, and the reader only knows as much as Henry does. Also, the readers get Henry's opinions and thoughts on everything, rather than the book being a straight narration of what is happening.

I also think that the fact that Wiggen sometimes made mistakes with his grammar made the book and the characters seem much more realistic. He would abbreviate words or use slang terms that weren't real words, and this made it seem as if it was actually Henry Wiggen telling us the story. What is really interesting about this writing style is that the book was actually written by someone else and that Henry Wiggen's character is completely fictional. The downside of this style is merely that the improper grammar can get a little annoying, although it does greatly enhance the story.