Point of View

Reef is written in the first person, from the point of view of Triton. In the prologue, Triton has an encounter that triggers his memory, and the rest of the novel is the recollection of his journey to where he is. Triton tells of his childhood, his coming of age, and his growth as an individual under the wings of Mister Salgado. Through Triton's eyes, the author describes in detail all the major characters and the political turmoil occurring around them. Triton's memories are a mixture of what he knew at the time, and of what he learned long after the facts he relates.

Language and Meaning

Romesh Gunesekera uses elegant language in Reef. The novel is full of beautiful imagery, vivid descriptions, and stark honesty about the world the characters live in. At first it is unbelievable that Triton's voice is so refined-after all, he...