Oona Out of Order

Montimore’s use of allusion—a reference to another literary work or other cultural touchstone—does many things in this novel. Characters often allude to pop-culture icons, musicians, and events to ground the reader in the current time period. However, the most significant allusions come in the titles of the novel’s sections, as they set the tone for the chapters that follow and encourage the reader to feel something before they’ve even read the first sentence. The songs alluded to epitomize a genre—new wave—from the time that Oona first leaves, or they are the influencers of that music. Because of the songs’ popularity, many readers will know at least a few lines and the general tone of the music. For example, by titling Part 5 after The Pixies’ upbeat song “Here Comes Your Man,” Montimore foreshadows that Oona will spend most of the chapter enjoying falling in love. The lyrics of each song also point toward events or ideas that appear in the novel, adding depth to Montimore’s choices. For example, the lyrics from Kate Bush’s “Under Ice” evoke Oona’s sense of drowning under the emotional weight of her situation, as well as her fear of water. Music is so central to the novel that Montimore even set up a playlist for readers on Spotify.