Point of View

The story is told from the first-person and past tense point of view and specifically from the perspective of central character and narrator Deanna. This first person narrative engages the reader thoroughly and effectively in Deanna's experience, drawing the reader immediately and intimately into her struggles with her reputation, her feelings, attitudes and responses. It's important to note, however, that while this point of view is both limited and subjective, it is nevertheless an effective way of vividly experiencing other characters and their relationships with the central character. The reader sees and experiences the actions and reactions of the people interacting with Deanna in the same emotionally charged way that she does. As a result, the reader would likely, given the universality of the subject matter identify even more strongly with the character and her situation.

All this is particularly important given the novel's subject matter...