The author's point of view begins as first person. For the first few chapters, Troy Phelan is speaking directly to the reader. This is effective for demonstrating Troy's state of mind to the reader. Later, the book transitions to third person point of view. At the time of the transition more characters are introduced. The main focus switches from Troy to Nate. For the remainder of the novel Nate remains the main character, but the novel would not have been as evocative without the use of first person point of view at the beginning.