Point of View

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake is told from the first person point of view of Rose Edelstein, over the course of her adolescence. It offers a look into the mind of a young girl coping with ordinary milestones, such as first crushes and friend troubles, in the wake of an extraordinary revelation. She is able to taste how people feel.

The four sections of the book compartmentalize how Rose sees the world. "Food" is the first section. It reveals how and when she discovered her ability to taste emotion. She is afraid and confused by the revelation and does not know how to make it stop. This is a look at Rose in her most confused and chaotic state of mind.

"Joseph" is the second section. While the narration does not change, the emphasis of the novel focuses on the impact Joseph has on...