how does the author use structure to covey the shifts in gogol's feelings about his family and his relationship with maxine?

The novel is divided into twelve chapters that are each about twenty to thirty pages long. The chapters are not titled and they are not divided into parts. A few of the chapters begin with a year marker, letting the reader know when a large amount of time has been passed between chapters. Time passes very quickly in this novel; therefore, these markers are quite helpful in keeping the reader up to date. The chapters are written mostly in exposition or descriptive passages, leaving little room for dramatic scenes or dialogue. This technique also allows for the great amount of time that passes throughout the novel.