Who is the narrator, can she or he read minds, and, more importantly, can we trust her or him?
First Person (Central)
My Heartbeat is written from Ellen's wide-eyed perspective, which lends the story a sweet, naïve incredulity that is hard not to like. Her observations on everything that is happening around her are expressed with a wondrous but frank attitude, giving us a pretty accurate idea of what it's like to be an intelligent fourteen year-old girl facing confusing circumstances:
I want to ask why James's sleeping with men would annoy Link if, as Link says, he himself is not gay. But it's so clear while also being confusing. Link was mad about James and the waiter, but he couldn't say that flat-out without retreating from his position that he's not gay. My brother has really boxed himself into a corner here. (6.34)
Although at times it can feel restrictive to not know what the other characters are thinking in such a character-driven story, it also lends a realistic touch; its not like we know what everyone else is thinking in real life, either.