Take a story's temperature by studying its tone. Is it hopeful? Cynical? Snarky? Playful?
Wry
Lily's wry-n-dry tone is one of the more delightful aspects of the novel. She's the master of spicing up garden-variety descriptions with deadpan humor. For example, when she describes her trek into Tiburon with Rosaleen, she writes:
We started walking. If you think the country is quiet, you've never lived in it. Tree frogs alone make you wish for earplugs. (2.173)
It's very true, and also quite funny, given that the observation comes straight out of the blue.
Lily's tone definitely says a lot about her and the way she views the world. While she's young and sometimes emotional, she's definitely not bubbly; her observations are often dry and even a bit sarcastic, suggesting she keeps herself at arm's length from the people and things around her. Of course, sarcasm is hardly a rare quality in teenagers (or adults, for that matter), right?