Point of View

Most of the novel is written objectively in third person. The third person usage in most areas makes the story feel like a factual account. This is fitting for the historical tone of the novel. Many of the references, especially once the characters arrive in America, are references to actual American history. During the 1700s there was a large migration of people from Scotland to America. These immigrants were seeking a better way of life; some were brought as slaves and indentured servants and others such as the character Jamie, were trying to escape religious persecution. Many of them ended up in Pennsylvania, Virginia and the Carolinas. Within the book there are references to the French and Indian war, Slavery and some of the local political unrest in North Carolina. The writer also makes a point to name real locations to reinforce the idea that this...