Point of View

Did You Ever Have a Family is a complex and shifting novel. It features multiple of points of view from the story's protagonists to minor characters never mentioned before or after their chapter. The story begins with Silas's perspective as he hears the sirens following the explosion of June's house. After hearing this noise, he gets ready for the day. The novel then switches to June's point of view for the second chapter. June, Edith, Lydia, Rick, Rebecca, George, Dale, Kelly, Silas, Lolly, and Cissy each narrate at least one chapter. The novel's major characters like Silas, June, and Lydia narrate multiple chapters.

When writing from Silas's perspective, Clegg uses vulgar language and lowers his level of articulation to that of a teenager. Silas curses regularly and Clegg gives him a whining, disillusioned tone that permeates all of the boy's narration. When the author follows...