Genre
Young Adult Fiction
Setting and Context
United States, 1979-1998
Narrator and Point of View
Third person omniscient narration
Tone and Mood
Dark, Romantic
Protagonist and Antagonist
Chris Harte is arguably the protagonist, though it is unclear for much of the book whether he is guilty of murder
Major Conflict
In the first scene of the book, the reader witnesses Emily Gold's death. Suspense is built throughout the novel as to whether her death was truly a murder or a suicide and whether Chris Harte will be found guilty or innocent in his trial.
Climax
In a flashback, the reader learns exactly what happened before and at the moment of Emily's death; she begged Chris to pull the trigger of the gun pressed to her head and even squeezed the gun. Chris reveals this story to the courtroom on the last day of his trial.
Foreshadowing
Foreshadowing and suspense are used liberally through flashbacks that give the reader glimpses into Chris and Emily's relationship as children and the events leading up to her death.
Understatement
N/A
Allusions
N/A
Imagery
N/A
Paradox
N/A
Parallelism
Connections are drawn between many characters, especially with regard to how they process their grief, which makes parallels between their natures, situations, and emotions.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
N/A
Personification
N/A
