In the novel, Cold Sassy Tree, Olive Ann Burns explores timeless issues of love, death, and the ties that bind families and generations. The story also shows the modern age coming to a small southern town. Will Tweedy, a 14-year-old boy, who could always make a good story better in the telling, narrates this story. By the story being told in the first person point of view, the reader is able to experience the thoughts of the characters.
             The first person point of view brings the reader directly into the scene. Will looked up and saw T.R. "raise his head to listen", but he thought, surely it "wasn't near time for the train." He heard "clickety-clack" and screeched "the train was coming." After reading this, the reader can share Will's feelings with him. Then, both the reader and Will, start to think how will is going to get off the trestle before the train gets there. Will could have gotten away easily, but as he scrambled to his feet, "I stumbled and fell," he said, and "I saw I couldn't possible make it off the trestle." In sudden shock, the reader takes a quick breath with Will. This makes the reader start to worry and wonder, even more, what Will is going to do to get away from the train.
             In conclusion, first person point of view helps the reader experience the thoughts of the characters. This novel is very rich with emotion, humor, and love. Olive Ann Burns does a good job in keeping the reader so interested in the book that they do not want to put it down.
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