Partial Omniscient Narrator

The narrator of "The Last Lovely City" is omniscient with regard to Benito, but does not seem to know anything substantial about any of the other characters. The narrator's knowledge of Benito is related through two perspectives—one an objective view of Benito, and the other comprising Benito's thoughts and perceptions. This allows the reader to observe Benito from a distance while at the same time getting a glimpse at his thoughts and feelings.

Often, the narrator allows the reader to see the struggles taking place within Benito. He misses his wife terribly, and he is plagued by faltering self-esteem. Thinking about his clinics in Mexico, he wonders if all they really need from him is his money rather than his expertise. He thinks, "Had that always been the case? ... Were all those trips to Chiapas unnecessary, ultimately self-serving?" The narrator demonstrates Benito's feelings of...