Point of View

The novel uses different points of view at different points in the narrative in order to slowly reveal the central character of Eleanor Flood as an unreliable narrator. The novel begins in the first person from Eleanor’s perspective giving the opening section the tone of a confessional: Eleanor is taking the reader into her confidence to reveal the truth of her life: “The sad truth? The beast in me plays out on a painfully small scale: regrettable micro-transactions usually involving Timby, my friends, or Joe. I’m irritable and consumed by anxiety when I’m with them; maudlin and shit-talking when I’m not.” (8) Because much of Eleanor’s initial narration is self-critical and negative, this leads to the impression that Eleanor is being honest and presenting the reader with the unvarnished truth about her life.

However, as the narrative continues, Eleanor’s narration...