With the introduction prior to chapter one we are being told by a first person narrator about a man named Ethan Frome. In Chapter one, we are into third person (removed?) because the first person narrator from the intro has left off saying in effect, "here’s what I heard…" All well done so far.
My problem as I’ve stated is not with the non-linear structure, but that the reader is given too little backstory to this "backstory" to evoke sympathy for Ethan Frome. Now here I am in the middle of the book, and I’m getting the backstory of the meeting and marriage of Ethan and Zeena and finally can somewhat soften towards Ethan.
The problem is, I’m wary of him, having learned flat out from the beginnng of Chapter One that he couldn’t be trusted.
Obviously I’m no expert on literature or writing ability, and I do like the story and writing style for its showing of these people and their world in simple but descriptive language, but the more I read, the more readily I am bothered by little quirks such as these.
The Lost Children: A Charity Anthology