Point of View

The novel’s point of view alternates between second person and close third-person omniscient. These two different styles have a large impact on how the story unfolds and each narrative style is tied to a different character. The author thus effectively utilizes narrative point-of-view to assist with characterization.

The prologue that opens the novel uses the second person and introduces the reader to the character of Paz. This section is told through the second-person perspective, which is an unusual and strikingly unique stylistic choice. It reads as though “you,” the reader, are the character that is being described. For example, it opens with: “So you’re a girl and you’re poor, but at least you’re light-skinned—that’ll save you” (3). The author carries on with this narrative style throughout the prologue, walking us through Paz’s childhood, coming of age, and early adulthood...