There is a very interesting portrait of family life provided in this work of literature. The first thing I noticed when I began reading this book was that the Malters are missing a primary female influence. On page 119, when Reuven is preparing to meet Rabbi Issac Saunders (a.k.a. Reb Saunders, Danny;s father), Reuven explains to Danny that his mother died soon after he was born. Danny, on the other hand, had a family consisting of a mother, father, sister, brother, and himself.

I also found it interesting that at the beginning as well as throughout the course of Danny and Reuven's relationship, Danny was very emphatic on the fact that he and his father never spoke unless they were studying Talmud. The reason for this is because Reb Saunders wanted to teach Danny to have a soul and to experience pain. I think Danny had...