Point of View

Anna Quindlen tells her novel Miller's Valley from the point of view of main character and principal protagonist Mimi in the first-person reflective omniscient perspective. The prologue of the novel clearly sets out the fact that Mimi will be recalling the events of her childhood, teenage years, and early adulthood as they relate to the flooding of Miller's Valley. Because the events being recalled are Mimi's, it is only natural that Mimi herself should tell her own story, for it was Mimi who personally and directly experienced the events she is relating to readers. Mimi's first-person narration gives readers a very personal and very intimate glimpse into those years, as though Mimi was recalling the times to a close friend. The reader is able to see things and understand things as Mimi saw and understood them, and is able to personally relate to Mimi through...