Becker, a classic overreacher, came to grief in an almost comical way.

You must tell me, if you can, that Mr. Hattersley is better than he seems—that he is upright, honourable, and open-hearted—in fact, a perfect diamond in the rough.

It takes time to get used to having a step-parent.

Auster makes clear that while the father comprehends his Jewish identity, taking his son to Jewish restaurants, eating borscht, pirogen, the boy is lost: […]