The novel is written in the first-person view as a diary or journal of the main character, Will Henry, when we was a twelve year old young man. As one of the primary themes is Will's transition in the novel, this view is necessary. Without a first hand understanding of Will's thoughts and emotions, the building of his character throughout the novel would not be possible. Additionally, this view is proven reliable, in that Will Henry reports not only on his own feelings, but on the emotions of the other characters as well, as he sees them. It is Will's view of the world that makes the novel so compelling, and without this, the novel would not be as successful. The growth not only of Will Henry, but also his developing understanding of the dangers of the world, would be less dramatic without a first person view.