Point of View

Fuller employs the third-person-omniscient point of view when writing about the book’s present action. Fuller’s use of the third-person-omniscient point of view provides an intimate understanding of each character’s inner thoughts and emotions. This private glimpse into characters’ minds conveys whether they are reliable. For example, Flora’s thoughts about hoping for Ingrid’s return despite evidence proving her absence, contemplating life from different perspectives, and reimagining current experiences indicate that she is unreliable. Likewise, Gil’s tendency to ignore reality renders him unreliable. The possibility that Flora or Gil may be reimagining or ignoring reality makes them untrustworthy characters.

Fuller employs the first-person point of view in Ingrid’s letters. The first-person point of view allows readers to feel whatever Ingrid feels. Fuller’s use of the first person intensifies Ingrid’s sense of isolation, disconnect, and inadequacy as she relates...