Point of View

The story collection includes numerous different perspectival modes. However, all of the stories utilize narration that is either in the first person or the third person, and in the past tense or the present tense. (“Appleless” is notable in that it uses the first-person plural rather than the first-person singular.) Almost every story is written from one consistent perspective, with the a notable exception being “A State of Variance.” That story begins with the mother’s perspective before shifting to the son’s perspective. Also, “The Fake Nazi” is notable in that the main point-of-view character is the unnamed secretary, while the central character is Hans Hoefler. However, aside from those exceptions, each story maintains a consistent perspective in order to build the dramatic tension and thematic substance around the central character’s tribulations.

Despite the fact that most of the stories adhere to a...