Point of View

The point of view used in The Californios by Louis L'Amour is third person omniscient. This is particularly accurate when setting and time period are of great importance to the story. Third person allows L'Amour to give the reader great insight into the sights and sounds encountered on the journey and to develop a sense of personality and vision regarding each character. This type of writing is what made L'Amour famous.

Since many of the facts in the book are historically accurate, it is even more important to impart them as such even if they are woven into the story. This creates a true to life feel about the Californios and their journey as well as the overall feel of what it was like to experience the development of the land and the relationship with the natives as well as the Mexicans.

Additionally, it allows the...