What is the author's style in City of God by E. L. Doctorow?

The language of City of God is often as confusing and jarring as the various sections. Due to the intellectual bend of the novel, the language is often highly philosophical and occasionally vague. The inner thoughts and language of the characters can sometimes be confusing because they are not contextualized. The reader is plopped down into the life or conversation of a given individual and must construct a valid conclusion. This method of narrative mirrors the logical progression of philosophical thought and examination.