Point of View

Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore is told from the first-person narrative of Clay Jannon. He is a twenty-something, college graduate who has lost his job and is determined to keep the one he gets at Mr. Penumbra’s bookstore. He is somewhat disenfranchised and is looking to find a purpose.

The perspective is overtly youth-oriented. This helps to reinforce the theme of old vs. new that can be traced throughout the novel. Because of Clay’s age and gender, the perspective is also decidedly masculine. Clay notes the body types of the women he meets, notable Ashley, North Face, and Kat. The tone is not overtly misogynistic, however. He demonstrates respect for Kat, her career, and her intellect.

This is Clay’s story and he is decidedly the hero of it. He drives the action to save the bookstore, find Penumbra, intercept him in New...