Points of View

The story is told entirely from the first person perspective of Robert Merivel, the narrator. The author chooses an actor and observer who sees things in entirely his own way, colored by his likes, lusts and personality, good and bad. Merivel, despite the historical nature of the novel, seems almost as if he could be living in the 21st century. His thought processes and observations are consistent with mankind both in this time and Merivel's time. He searches for himself, for reason, for meaning in life, for pleasure and happiness and for luxury, money and comfort. Of course, then as now, all this is subject to life's intrusions on our hopes and goals.

The author remains very true to the first person perspective. The story is told entirely from Merivel's point of view and carries in the telling his biases and limited viewpoint. Some stories told...