Point of View

The novel is told in the omniscient point of view, though not necessarily that of the author. A great deal of the story takes its outlook from the mind of Jason Bourne. Alex Conklin's thoughts are equally important to the understanding of the tale. Dr. Panov adds the medical perspective. His thoughts and comments reveal the fragility of David Webb's mental condition. The vantage point of Fontaigne, who worked for Carlos for many years, as well as that of Dominique Lavier, explain the cold-blooded nature of the master assassin and the danger of failing to do his bidding. In this, the god complex of the Jackal becomes frighteningly clear.

To some extent, every character in the novel is revealed through his or her thoughts and behaviour, but the one head that the reader gets into very little is that of Carlos himself. Suggestions as to what...