Singularity | Literary Qualities

Singularity Literary Qualities

Like most of Sleator's books, Singularity seems more interested in sustaining an exciting plot than in creating well-developed characters. Many of the chapters in the book end with "hooks" or cliffhangers, prompting the reader to continue with the novel: Barry emerges from the playhouse with stubble on his chin after a few seconds; Harry realizes that the dog, Fred, may be locked in the playhouse and die; the twins discover a new creature with many teeth approaching Earth.

As several reviewers have noted, the book manages to keep the reader in suspense, largely through Harry's firstperson narrative and through careful foreshadowing. For instance, when the twins first arrive at Uncle Ambrose's house, they encounter unusual skeletons which they do not understand until much later in the book. Harry's year in the playhouse, a section potentially boring to the reader, is rendered more exciting by the progress of "The...
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