Point of View

The novel uses a first person perspective in the narrative. As the story focuses more on the effect of drug abuse on those close to them as opposed to the addict himself, this choice makes sense. Rachel's voice reflects her mood and her transition as she moves through the phases of grief once Micah leaves. Readers sense the distance between the two as she worries more about her relationship with Keith than about Micah. They feel her anger when she finds out that Micah is now selling drugs. They also see her transformation as she finally lets Micah go, finds compassion for others, and connects with Tyler.

Rachel notes that when she and Tyler talk about Micah, they use the past tense. This choice represents that even though they don't know whether he's alive or dead, the Micah they know is dead. He hasn't been...