Take a story's temperature by studying its tone. Is it hopeful? Cynical? Snarky? Playful?
Direct
Dana starts this book by saying, "I lost an arm on my last trip home" (Prologue.1) and pretty much stays this blunt and direct for the rest of the book. It's actually this same directness that often gets her in trouble with white slave masters in 1815 Maryland. It's great for us readers, though, because her tone helps make this book really easy to read and get into.