The book is written by a reporter who came to hear about Genie in a passing comment from a linguist at the University of Illinois. While the writer's perspective appears to be objective, his material is such that it is often difficult to keep an emotional distance. The writer became obsessed with Genie's story when he was in Paris and visited the same institute where another wild child, Victor of Aveyron, was treated. This inspires the writer to continue on his story about Genie. Later, the writer met with Genie's mother, Irene, and made the conscious decision not to meet Genie in order to keep his view objective, at least where Genie is concerned.