Bauer's familiar use of first person serves once again in this novel to place the reader in close relationship with her main character. In addition, her switch from past tense to present tense at particular points in the story establishes the reader as not only the listener, but also as an active participant in the drama that takes place in specific scenes.

The reader dearly experiences Hope's memories, her tension when "in the weeds," and her pain while dealing with her mother and with G. T.'s death.

Symbols can be found in the characters' names as well as other elements in the novel. G. T.'s name is Gabriel Thomas. His first name is perhaps a biblical reference to the angel Gabriel who brings messages of hope, while his second name might refer to Thomas, the disciple who doubted the risen Christ. Together, the names...