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

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.

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

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