Point of View

The story of Sampath and the guava orchard is written in third-person omnisicient. It is the all-knowing style of fiction writing that allows the reader to know the actions and thoughts of the characters. The author, Kiran Desai, is a native of India and therefore familiar with the country's geographical make-up and customs and mores.

The story is written with a sympathetic tilt toward the eccentric protagonist who feels lost in the modern world. Even when Sampath's behavior is less than acceptable, there is a softness provided by the author that blunts the actions of the young man. The reader is quickly led to understand how difficuilt it would be for a dreamer like Sampath to live under a household run by his demanding and domineering father who has absolutely no understanding of the ways of his unique son. The storylines about Sampath and his equally...