Point of View

The novel is narrated in the first-person, switching between the perspectives of Matty, Teddy, Irene, Frankie, and Buddy. The author places few limitations on the access to the Telemachus family's inner thoughts, allowing the reader to understand each character's true motivations and conflicts, though they are not always truthful with each other. For example, Irene reveals her true feelings about returning to her family home without having achieved success for herself and her son while living on her own. Each narrator plays with the role of memory especially while they are uncovering more secrets about their family and their complicated past. This continued thread of dishonesty creates tension between the characters as well as contrasting with the typical image of a cohesive family unit.

The many points of view as well as the extensive timeline, including childhood flashbacks, spanning family generations serves to underscore their...