The access to different characters made the war seem realistic. As we know battles are not won with only leaders, it also takes the foot soldiers and others in between. And in the battles in Ethiopia, it included women (often neglected in war stories) who filled important roles. Without the examination of so many characters, much would have been lost in understanding the importance of all people connected to this atrocious war. Finally, by including the characters who we think should not gain our empathy, the author made the war more real, as war involves people who become vengeful and desirous of power and control.