User blog comment:JohnathanNash/Editing and some things to look for./@comment-26030957-20170201233838/@comment-26030957-20170205162159

It's a modernist thing started by Hemingway. When writing in an antiquated style, such as The Wicker House, it can lend an old-timely feel to the prose. Goes to show you need to know the rules to break them. I can tell you from experience, though, most editors will insist you keep your voice active.