David Schearl and his mother, Genya, arrive at Ellis Island in 1907, joining his father who has been working and saving for their passage. He begins his life in America as a resident of a New York City slum, living on the second floor of a three-story flat. As David progresses through childhood, he is assaulted by a host of traumatic experiences, all of which serve to impact his internal sensitivity and innocence. His father, Albert, is at first unable to maintain steady employment and is an angry, violent man who verbally abuses both David and Genya. Even though he eventually lands a permanent position as a milkman, Albert is unable to curb his basic nature and, in some instances, physically abuses David. Genya is a sensitive, quiet woman who attempts to protect David from his father and the realities of slum life, but is often unable...