Point of View

In general, the narrative unfolds from the third person limited point of view – that is, its story is told from the perspective of a single individual, with narration focusing on that person’s actions, experiences, and inner life. Such narration tends to draw the reader into a relatively intimate relationship with the character whose point of view takes narrative focus.

In the case of this book, however, it’s important to note that the primary point of view shifts in each of the novel’s books, or sections. In Book 1, the point of view is that of Tom Harrington; in Book 2, it is that of Stjepan Kovacevic and his mother Marija; and in Book 3, it is that of Dorothy (Dottie) Chambers. Books 4 and 5 are told from the perspective of Eville Burnette, Book 4 focusing on the character’s history, while Book 5 focuses on what might be...