Point of View

Carl Hiaasen tells his novel Skink: No Surrender in the first-person, reflective, narrative mode from the point of view of main character and principal protagonist, Richard Sloane. With the authorities unable to make real progress in the search for Malley, Richard and Skink become the people who ultimately bring about Malley’s return. Because of this, Richard comes to record the story of how he and Skink managed to free Malley. Given that Richard was one of those involved in Malley’s release, it is only natural that he should write in first-person since he is writing about something he directly, personally experienced. He directly references himself consistently throughout the book. Readers know that what they are reading is something that Richard has written because, in Chapter 11, Richard breaks the fourth wall to tell readers that he will not set down Skink’s darkest secret...