Point of View

The point of view in Book of Numbers is predominantly first-person with sections where Cohen the Narrator writes in third-person in order to tell other characters' stories. Being inside the heads of Cohen the Narrator and Principal allows the reader to experience two different personalities and witness how Cohen the Narrator is shaped by Principal. Principal has been shaped by those in his life as well, especially by the one person whom he refers to as his friend, Moe. Both of their points-of-view are unreliable, and this can lead the reader to question Principal's authenticity.

Cohen the Narrator's perspective is one of a middle-aged man who is not always thinking in a mature fashion. When he shows us Rach's blog entries, it becomes clear that he was not suited for a relationship when they got together, and it was his immaturity that helped end the...