DIALOGUE

One of the interesting techniques used by Ernesto Mallo in his novel Needle in a Haystack was the use of italics for dialogue with no indication of who is speaking, or even when one person stops talking and another person starts.

I thought it added considerably to the tension and the sense of being involved in the story.

Aren't you interested in knowing how he died? Of course I am....It's just that I'm so overcome, everything has been so sudden......Of course. Tell me, you're his only heir, is that correct? If there is anything to inherit then I suppose I am.

.............

You wouldn't happen to be a lefty, would you? A lefty? No, I try to abide by rights in everything I do. That sort of sarcasm is going to be your downfall one day. I want an answer by tomorrow. Tell Jorge and I'll contact you. All right, anything else? You can go . Thanks, good day.

There are quite a few conversations in which this is done, and it is nice to find a writer trying something a bit different for once.

My review of Needle in a Haystack.