Point of View

Although the novel is written in the third-person and the past tense, the narration features a limited perspective that strictly inhabits the viewpoint of Lianne, Keith, and Hammad, each one at a time. Keith and Lianne are the most central characters of the novel, and the crux of the narrative functions upon an exploration and demonstration of their respective emotional arcs following September 11. The narrative operates by shifting between Lianne and Keith’s perspectives at irregular intervals in order to demonstrate the similarities and differences between their respective linear character arcs. They are united by their desire to recommit to their marriage, but distance begins to grow between them due to their divergent interests.

Their divergence is thematized as the difference between Lianne’s desire for safety and security and Keith’s desire for a sense of risk. This divergence is further reflected through their...