Point of View

The novel is written in first-person from the limited perspective of Patina Jones. The limited perspective means the reader does not know what any other character is thinking or feeling and must depend on Patina's evaluations of situations and the conversations. For example, Patina and her sister Maddy live with their aunt and uncle, Emily and Tony. Patina realize that Emily and Tony have accepted the responsibilities of being parents without complaint to Patina and Maddy. She lists off all the things Emily does for them, including the responsibility of taking care of Bev, her sister-in-law and Patina's mother, but Patina does not really think about the toll that might be taking on Emily. She does note that Emily seem to be tired by the time dinner is done, but Emily does not complain in Patina's presence. Patina never knows how Emily feels about all...