What is the narrator point of view in the novel, The Wren, the Wren?

Carmel’s chapters are written in the third person, yet the narration is closely aligned with her perspective. The reader experiences events and relationships through Carmel’s lens, gaining insight into her thoughts, feelings, and memories. This perspective, however, does not extend to other characters, such as her older sister Imelda, whose understanding of their shared history remains opaque. The limited focus mirrors Carmel’s own self-absorption and unresolved traumas, effectively immersing the reader in her emotional struggles. However, the lack of an omniscient viewpoint means that other perspectives are left unexplored, leaving gaps in the narrative.

Nell’s chapters are narrated in the first person, further narrowing the reader’s understanding to her anxious and obsessive interpretations of events. This approach effectively conveys her inner turmoil and vulnerability, allowing the reader to experience her world as she does, with its heightened emotional intensity.