Point of View

The novel is written from the first person point of view of the main character Irina Sturges. This narrative vantage point effectively grants the reader access to the protagonist’s consciousness throughout the novel. Writing Boy Parts from Irina’s point of view also centralizes Irina’s experiences and perception of reality. As a narcissistic and hedonistic individual, Irina’s first person account is defined by her unabashed irreverence. Rather than attempting to shield the reader from her often angry and selfish, violent and repellant behaviors, Irina presents these facets of her life and character in a matter-of-fact and unapologetic manner.

The way in which Irina describes her photography work is representative of the way she narrates her story. While going through her artistic archives in the chapter “Juvenilia,” for example, Irina retrospectively defends her work, thinking: “This is my art, and it’s transgressive...