Point of View

The novel is written from the first person point of view. The novel divides the narration between Lavinia and Belle. The odd chapters are written from Lavinia’s point of view, while the even number chapters are from Belle’s.

The point of view of this novel works because it draws the reader in close to the main character as everything is seen through that character’s eyes. Lavinia draws the reader in with her innocence and naivety. Belle, on the other hand, is often angry in her observations, but begins to mellow with age and with the realization that life there is beauty in life no matter how dark it might seem. The reader comes to care deeply for each of these characters, leaving readers on the edge of their seats at the moment when Lavinia learns who has been killed. The point of...