Point of View

The story is primarily told from the third person limited point of view – specifically, that of protagonist Madame Wu. The narrative is, for the most part, focused on her experiences; her interpretations and insights as the result of those experiences; and her transformation at the conclusion of it all. In all but a few occasions, the motivations, goals, and intentions of the other characters are to be inferred (understood) through Madame Wu’s insights into other characters. This is why, for example, the essential but consistently enigmatic Brother Andre is as engaging to the reader as he is to the central character, with the former’s understanding of him evolving at the same time as the latter’s: the reader is clearly being led to identify with Madame Wu, perhaps with the idea that the reader will emerge from the experience if not as fully...