07-15-2010, 09:43 PM
I agree with you about Gothics; the first person auctorial voice seems perfectly suited to the genre, maybe because it keeps the protagonist in the dark about the other characters' motives and what they're thinking, and because it makes the story totally her own experience.
In other genres, like mystery, I have no particular preference; but I tend to favor third person because it makes me less conscious of an author and simply immerses me in the story, and because it allows multiple points of view and an omniscient voice. This would especially apply for me in a speculative genre like fantasy, where you need sweep and scope and where first person would be too restrictive. (Imagine Lord of the Rings told in the first person from Frodo's point of view -- it would be myopic!)
In other genres, like mystery, I have no particular preference; but I tend to favor third person because it makes me less conscious of an author and simply immerses me in the story, and because it allows multiple points of view and an omniscient voice. This would especially apply for me in a speculative genre like fantasy, where you need sweep and scope and where first person would be too restrictive. (Imagine Lord of the Rings told in the first person from Frodo's point of view -- it would be myopic!)