Point of View

The author writes the novel from the first person points of view of Malia Flores, Noa Flores, Dean Flores, Kaui Flores, and Augie Flores. By presenting these intimate narrative perspectives of each member of the same family, the author allows the familial unit to share the evolution and progression of the overarching narrative. Each of the character's voices lends a new angle, not only on the family's internal dynamics, but also on the significance of the Hawaiian landscape. Even when the characters are separated by significant geographical distances, their narratives, appearing side-by-side on the page, feeling in communion. This resulting sensation, creates a seeming subtextual dialogue between the family members, allowing the author to explore his thematic interests in family, home, grief, self-discovery and spirituality.

This division of narrative perspectives also grants the narrative a sense of expansiveness. If the novel had been written from...