Point of View

The novel has two first person, limited perspective narrators, Hanna and Will. They trade chapters, each recounting their side of events in a linear structure, with only minimal overlapping. Sometimes, a particular scene or event will be begun from one character’s perspective and then finished from the other person's. Frequently, a scene not narrated by either Will or Hanna will at least be commented on by the non-narrating character in retrospect, giving the reader a clear idea of what each character is thinking at all times.

This narrative device gives the reader insight into the two characters that Will and Hanna don’t have about each other. Readers are aware of each character’s real, deepening feelings for the other, though Hanna and Will are not aware of these feelings themselves. Because both characters get to tell their side of the story, readers have...