Love, Stargirl

Love, Stargirl is an epistolary novel. The word epistolary comes from the Greek word, epistole, meaning “letter.” In an epistolary novel, the story is typically told through letters written by one or more of the characters, although it may also be narrated through diary entries, emails, notes, newspaper clippings, blog entries, or other documents. Love, Stargirl is a monologic epistolary novel, because it is narrated solely from Stargirl’s first-person perspective.

There are several benefits to choosing an epistolary novel format. Most significantly, readers feel a close connection to the letter writer. In Love, Stargirl, Stargirl’s giant “letter” allows readers get an intimate look at her thoughts and emotions and empathize more deeply with her. The epistolary format also allows the reader to feel a greater sense of realism. Stargirl’s letters are essentially diary entries, which let readers see how Stargirl uses her writing to work through her conflicted feelings. This point of view also serves to contrast Stargirl’s almost mythical depiction in Stargirl by Leo and allows her to regain a sense of humanity. One drawback to epistolary novels is also the perspective: Readers’ knowledge is limited to what Stargirl tells them.