Perspective

The Point of View of the entirety of Baghdad Burning is that of Riverbend's perspective, with experiences of other people recounted in her own words. Occasionally Riverbend dips into more serious academic-style security reports and news coverage of events (often re-copying reports from other sites which are relevant to her discussion) which gives different perspectives in the novel; however, she always returns to her own narrative voice.

The use of her first-person perspective is of course subjective. However, Riverbend manages to maintain a strong voice that can discuss events coolly or become impassioned at immediate concerns, such as threats to her own family.

This use of the first-person narrative focuses the events of the story directly onto, and through the character of Riverbend: charging the whole account with emotional immediacy and drama. Occasionally she will herself use the third person while she is talking about another person, story...