His polished and erudite style of narration readily evoked the time and place of his stories , and perceptively delineated the psychology of his characters .
As a novelist Vidal explored the nature of corruption in public and private life .
Vidal 's polished and erudite style of narration readily evoked the time and place of his stories , and perceptively delineated the psychology of his characters .
As a novelist Vidal explored the nature of corruption in public and private life .