The novel is written in English and there are Eskimo words interspersed throughout. The word "mukluks" (fur boots) is used often, as is the word "muktuk" which means whale blubber and skin. Other words which may seem unusual to the reader are "innerparka" and "outerparka" as well as the word "breechclout", a garment that covers the loins. The novel itself is told in such as way as to resemble a story being told in the oral tradition.