Point of View

Halsey street is told through a third person omniscient narrator. The narrator switches between Penelope and Mirella’s view point, following the events, reactions and emotions of either character depending on the chapter. Switching between these two characters’ perceptions allows the reader to experience two realities and understand the miscommunication that is responsible for their problematic relationship. We are better able to empathize with both characters by seeing each of their viewpoints as well as understand that both viewpoints are unreliable at times.

During the majority of the novel, the narrator follows Penelope, letting the reader know what she is thinking. We become aware of her maladaptive and negative thinking patterns and realize that the reality she experiences is not a reliable indication of the facts. Penelope portrays her mother as cruel and unloving and believes that Mirella does not care about her. When we...