Point of View

The novel’s narration is written entirely in the present tense, giving the story a sense of deep immediacy and emotional urgency in both storylines. Both storylines are written in the third person. However, while the plane storyline frequently shifts focus between character perspectives, the other storyline stays firmly in Edward’s perspective. Thus, the plane storyline illustrates community and connection through various interactions and character viewpoints. Meanwhile, the Edward storyline illustrates Edward’s frequent feelings of loneliness and emotional hardship, while also developing the interpersonal relationships that ultimately help him make progress in his emotional recovery.

Additionally, the juxtapositions between perspectives and relationships in the two storylines often create overarching thematic developments regarding the concepts of viewpoint and interpersonal connection. The novel provides nuanced illustrations of interpersonal connections, revealing both the value and occasional difficulties therein. For example, the tensions in Bruce and Jane...