Point of View

The narrative is written from the first-person point of view from Flavia’s perspective. This choice is fitting as this is Flavia’s coming of age story. The perspective creates a strong voice for Flavia. Readers feel her frustration, her confidence, and her resolve as she moves forward in her journey. The point of view also reinforces the meaning of the title that extends throughout the novel. Flavia begins to see that things, like her family, may not look attractive on the outside, but what really matters is what is beneath the exterior. She also realizes that her family is wired to not be able to say that they love each other. They have other ways of expressing their love just as she thanks Dogger when he and Ophelia rescue her without saying the words thank you. As a result, she finds her identity and...