Point of View

The novel is written from the main character Anna's first person point of view. Because the novel is so deeply interested in exploring Anna's confrontation with her past and her journey towards self-discovery, her first person point of view guides the narrative progression. Writing the novel from Anna’s distinct and intimate narrative voice allows the author to comprehensively inhabit Anna's emotional and psychological spheres. The author establishes Anna's narrative voice and tone in the novel's opening chapter. Though Anna is reluctant to acknowledge the unresolved facets of her identity, her voice is honest and open. She tells her reader that after her mother's death she avoided Bronwen's trunk "for a long time. I had not enjoyed my previous experience of sorting through my mother's things. There had been no catharsis, only a strange fatigue after holding the clothes she had worn and the books...