Berger employs a very spare and economical narrative style and technique in Meeting Evil. The effect attained is that of a fast moving suspense or crime story, which also carries something of the moral weight of a fable. Moreover, the time sequence is restricted to a single day in John Felton's life, although it is a span of time which decisively changes his views and moral character forever.

One effective device, however, is Berger's use of a significant shift in point of view. For much of the narrative, he restricts the narrative point of view to that of the innocent John; but for one crucial sequence, his readers are given the opportunity to see events from Richie's point of view. This sequence may increase sympathy for Richie, but it also tends to shield the reader from graphic descriptions of the horror of Richie's actions. Richie's callous murder of...