Point of View

The point of view in this novel shifts perspectives and offers multiple points of view. Initially, the book starts out from Martin's point of view, but then, many of the later chapters give at least one or more chapters over to the other characters. Marie, Eric's daughter receives the last three chapters.

These points of view serve to show differing perspectives on an event that causes Ivan to lose his life. The reader finds himself asking whether or not Ivan would have died if each of the characters who were involved had chosen different courses of action, had done the right thing, had opted to become involved in life.

Language and Meaning

The novel drips with figurative language and imagery. One such example is Ivan's death and how the character is in a state of shock, not realizing that he's been stabbed and is bleeding...