Point of View

Colum McCann writes Apeirogon largely from a third person omniscient perspective, though at times this perspective may only focused on certain characters. Essentially, the two main characters whose streams of consciousness, memories, perspectives, and feelings he portrays are Rami and Bassam, but he does incorporate moments in which Salwa, Nurit, Moti Richler or other characters see their feelings, thoughts, and experiences highlighted. The focus on two specific characters from a third person perspective becomes evident within the first few chapters. Chapter 1 begins with “The hills of Jerusalem are a bath of fog. Rami moves by memory through a straight stretch, and calculates the camber of an upcoming turn. Sixty-seven years old, he bends low on the motorbike, his jacket padded, his helmet clipped tight” (3); Chapter 17 begins, “Every day since Abir was killed, Bassam has walked to the mosque in the hour before sunrise to join...