Point of View

“Mister Max – The Book of Lost Things” by Cynthia Voigt is written in the third person limited omniscient. Writing the narrative from this perspective reveals the thoughts, fears, intentions and motivations of the main characters, particularly Max Starling the protagonist. The reader learns that twelve-year-old Max, who most of the time manages to put up a brave front, has the usual fears and doubts and naiveté as any child his age which is understandable due to the huge problems he is presented with.

Max becomes a junior detective or “Solutioneer” a solver of problems and a finder of lost things. Although he appears to be sure of himself and his abilities, the reader knows from his private thoughts how uncertain and vulnerable he is. And as much as he strives to be independent, the adult-sized problems that face him nearly overwhelm him and compel him...