Point of View

Late in the Day is written in third person omniscient perspective, meaning that the third person narrator offers the reader insight on all of the major characters' thoughts, feelings, and actions, often within the same scene. The narrator also offers insight into the backstories of each character so that the reader can gain a sense of their motivations and difficulties in the present that stem from the past. Third-person omniscient narration offers many benefits in a story like this, as the reader sees how each character handles their grief in the aftermath of Zachary's death, and also likely develops sympathy for each character despite their shortcomings. This novel would be very different if the author had chosen first-person or third-person limited narration from Christine's point-of-view, particularly when she is reeling from her pain and anger in the days following the beginning of Lydia and Alex's...