Point of View

The novel prioritizes Eliza’s point of view while making Lister the main subject of observation. The use of first-person direct address (in the one-sided correspondence) helps us to see through Eliza’s eyes, while inspiring curiosity about her addressee. Not only does Lister never reply to these letters, she never even receives them – which gives the reader a sense of privileged access to the private thoughts of a misunderstood woman. Although the historical Eliza Raine wrote letters which do survive, Donoghue opts to imagine what may have been lost or suppressed, in conjuring up the inner life of her protagonist.

However, while the letters can be plaintively honest – engaging our sympathy – their erratic tone in places encourages us to read between the lines, questioning Eliza’s sanity and therefore her point of view. When she boasts of being “the object of admiring stares,” with...