Point of View

Family Matters is written from the point of view of an omniscient narrator. The author knows every character's thoughts, but more attention is paid to what they do and what they say. What is in the mind of a character is shared with the reader when the knowledge will help the reader understand the character's motivation. For example, following Nariman's accident, the reader sees Coomy becoming increasingly disgusted by the task of helping Nariman with his bowel movements and his urination. We see her convincing herself - and subsequently her brother Jal - that Nariman's interests will best be served by dumping him on Roxana. At the last minute, before the deed is done, we see Jal wondering if they are doing the right thing.

In the Epilogue, which takes place five years after the main part of the novel, the point of view shifts to...