What is the author's style in Open City: A Novel by Teju Cole?

The novel is written in the first-person point of view, from the perspective of main character, Julius. The novel swings back and forth between the present and the past. The present represents the time after Julius came to the United States and while he is finishing his residency. The past represents the time leading up to Julius coming to U.S., when he was living in Nigeria.

The point of view of this novel is intimate, allowing a reader to connect closely with the main character, Julius. The book written in this manner allows the reader to get inside Julius's head, thoughts and inner struggles. The reader cares what happens to the narrator. The point of view also allows the author to inject his own opinions into the narration and to expand on the events taking place around the other characters and the occurrences taking place.