| The short story cycle form provides a framework for interconnecting the pieces without the intrusions of traditional demands of the novel form, chief among these being maintaining a consistent point-of-view character throughout the work. The point of view here is shared by Martha Engstrom, Marta Nielsen, Maggie Engstrom, and Charlotte Engstrom. Pacing and balance were primary considerations in determining the content's order, not chronology. The first story, "Tour of the Tulips," takes place in the spring of 1968 and introduces characters who appear in later stories, as it tells about insights Martha Engstrom gains regarding herself and her husband's family while on a trip to Europe. The last story, "Keeping Still," brings previous characters and the themes of secrets and losses together, while focusing on Charlotte Engstrom. |
