Perspective

As previously discussed throughout this analysis, the author's perspective is that of someone living what she's writing about. This makes the book almost journal-like in its approach, with its stream of consciousness narrative style at times becoming difficult to follow and at other times being profoundly evocative of the state of emotional/mental dislocation experienced by those living through grief-inspiring loss. Her background as a writer gives her both a considerable advantage and a certain credibility problem. Because she is gifted and experienced, and on some level trained in searching for meaning in ways that other non-artistically inclined individuals might not be able to do, the author is able to see possibilities for meaning in the apparently meaningless, and therefore at least potentially find comfort. On the debit side, because she tells stories for a living, and because from all accounts she has a considerable professional reputation for...