Point of View

The novel is told entirely from the first-person point of view through the eyes of Apollo (or, more accurately, his human form Lester). This does two important things for the overall narrative. The first is that Apollo’s sarcasm and attitude makes the entire story feel lighthearted, lessening the fear involved in moments like Apollo’s near-death at the Zoo or the final confrontation with Commodus. In contrast, this choice of narrator adds more depth to the moments that are painful for Apollo himself, such as his decision to drown Commodus in ancient Rome, or his fears that he has destroyed or betrayed everyone in his life. This means that the reader’s trust in Apollo’s narration shifts as the story continues. At first, they are meant to question him, as he avoids things that make him look bad, or downplays the successes of...