Hackneyed device?

[Kate]

I'm wondering if anyone else has noticed this. It seems like every book of pop fiction these days has the same format: Each chapter is named after a character and gives their point of view, switching back and forth through the book. I first noticed it in Gone Girl, although I can't say Gillian Flynn invented it. But everyone since then seems to use this device, which I find hackneyed. It's not the worst sin, and some very well-reviewed books use it. But it sure is unoriginal.

[MaryAlice]

I was thinking: it seems every book I have read recently has the same format ~ each chapter about a different character, named chapters. Some Now and Then narratives.

Stephen King may have started the format, but without naming chapters after whichever character was "starring" in that chapter.

It also seems every book I have read recently has a prologue. I prefer to jump right into the story.