Point of View

The novel is written in third-person from the perspective of an unnamed narrator. The perspective is somewhat limited to Nick Allen, the main character. With a few exceptions, the reader knows only what Nick knows, when Nick is aware of it. One of the exceptions is that the narrator explains how Nick's story about his invented word becomes part of the news cycle so that Nick is interviewed for national news outlets and magazines, then becomes a guest on national television shows including David Letterman. The narrator explains how this comes about and there is never any indication of whether Nick is aware of the process. Another exception is the final scene which takes place at Mrs. Granger's house when Nick is not present. In that scene, it is necessary for the narrator to change tactics, explaining that scene from Mrs. Granger's perspective.

Throughout most...