The story is centered around the lives of two Jewish boys and their fathers. Reuven Malter is the main dynamic character but Daniel Saunders is a bit dynamic as well, though the story is told from Reuven's point of view. They become unlikely friends and change each other's lives in ways that they would have never thought possible if not for the accident that brought them together. It talks about their journey to becoming men, growing in relationship with their father, deciding their relationship with their faith, and choosing a life path that satisfies their internal need with the external need of their world. It is set in New York City during the 1940's.
**SPOILER ALERT: If anyone is interested in reading or currently reading, keep in mind that this is a book about faith and, therefore, must have some recurring theme. I recommend defining as many of the Yiddish terms as possible as they come up in the book to form a clearer understanding and picture, especially if you are not familiar with the faith. The entire time I was reading, I thought of the musical I was in 2 years ago, Fiddler on the Roof. Reb Saunders most likely symbolizes God or some godly entity. If you think of him that way, he makes a lot more sense. Also, Reb Malter and Reuven symbolize prophets, each in their own way. It seems for a while that the plot is not progressing quickly enough for my interests but if this would have clicked earlier than chapter 17, the book would've gone a lot smoother for me. Anyway, Reuven is a stereotypical prohet, a vessel through which God speaks to his people (or son) and Reb Malter is more of an advisor or messenger than Reuven**
Remember kids, silence speaks if you only learn to listen ;)
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