Point of View

Throughout the novel, the author employs a free indirect close third person narrative. This point of view choice allows the author to establish three characters as the novels central protagonists. Because the point of view moves between Susan, Lois, and Daniel's perspectives the narrative belongs to each of them equally. Telling the story from third person throughout, rather than moving into the first person narratives of each the characters, establishes an objective narrative tone that guides the larger story arc.

Though Lois, Susan, and Daniel each have distinct experiences and lives outside one another, their histories are wound up in one another. Much of their unresolved emotional turmoil is attributable to Linda's murder. The comprehensive third person narrator, therefore, allows the author to demonstrate the deep-rooted nature of their connection, and the innumerable similarities between them.

The portions of the narrative devoted to Susan's story...