Point of View

A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb is written in a first person subjective point-of-view. This allows the reader to really get to know the main character, a spirit named Helen. Since it's subjective, the reader gets an inside look at her thoughts and emotions, feeling her confusions and fears. Helen can't remember her past, and since this is first person subjective, the reader learns about her past as she does. The reader is a participant as the story unfolds.

Setting

This novel takes place in the modern day world. As the novel begins, Helen is cleaving to a man who is a teacher. Since she haunts people rather than places, she has observed the changing of the times. This makes it easier for her to adjust when she takes over Jenny's body. James haunts a place rather than a person, but it is a...