The book is written in third person with an omniscient point of view, the only option available to the author because of the span of time, people and events involved. The perspective remains omniscient and third person but focuses occasionally on particular people at different times. The time spans more than a century meaning the people change. An important aspect of the perspective is that there are obviously opinions presented by the author that are important to her. It's important to remember this point to maintain perspective.