comment on structure

The novel is divided into five parts that provide the points-of-view of five major characters: Isma, Eamonn, Parvaiz, Aneeka, and Karamat Lone. This structure allows for some intimacy, and some narrative distance, which is necessary because three of the major characters die. For example, just before Parvaiz's death, the author switches to Aneeka's point-of-view so the reader does not actually witness the death, but sees its impact through Aneeka's grief. When Aneeka and Eamonn die at the end, the reader is given the scene through a television broadcast watched by Eamonn's father Karamat Lone. This is emotionally effective because the author has just shown how much Karamat is struggling with his son's love for Aneeka, and how he has made an active choice not to support Eamonn or Aneeka's cause. Thus, he is in no small part responsible for his son's death.