Perception

Much of the novel's secondary plot revolves around perception; what people perceive to be the truth becomes the truth. At several points in the narrative, Robert assesses facts and concludes that, factually, he has absolutely no evidence that any malevolent fairies or miniature woman exist. There are a few hills with tunnels. He hears nocturnal noises. Something eats some chocolates. He sees an animal scoot under a hedge. He finds a strange journal. Those are the facts. Robert's perception, however, leads him to believe that a malevolent fairy, perhaps a human girl with some type of developmental deformity, lives in the area and is capable of grotesque acts such as murder and dismemberment. Robert's perception is aligned with the perception of Dennis, a four-year-old, who claims to see a tiny woman at night; she is friendly to Dennis but afraid of adults. She wants to marry Dennis so...