What is the author's style in Red Prophet by Orson Scott Card?

In Red Prophet, Orson Scott Card endeavors to convey what life would be like in the days of American when slave trading existed; whiskey was taken down river on rafts powered by pole boys; and white men were just beginning to invade land that had been part of the red man's purview exclusively. The author does a good job of lending authenticity to his novel in several key areas. Orson Scott Card begins by using language that was likely commonplace in those days, where English is still in its developing stages and education was a luxury for white men and those especially of privilege.