Point of View

The main narrative, set in 1999, is written in the third person but limited to Michael’s perspective. This means that while the narration is not in Michael’s own words, it gives readers access only to his thoughts, feelings, and interpretations of events. The reader sees the world as Michael sees it, including his fears about Y2K, his guilt over his mother losing her job, and his fascination with Ridge’s mysterious arrival. This limited point of view helps the reader identify with Michael’s uncertainty and confusion. Like him, the reader can only guess at other people’s motives or knowledge. Everything is filtered through Michael’s emotional lens. This technique mirrors his self-focused state of mind at the beginning of the novel. Because he is anxious and guilt-ridden, he interprets other people’s actions in terms of how they affect him. For...