Super Short Summary

Call it Sleep by Henry Roth follows David Schearl, a young Jewish boy, navigating life in New York's Lower East Side ghetto during the early 1900s. David's relationship with his violent and temperamental father is strained, while his bond with his mother remains close. As David grows, he experiences various hardships and internal struggles, culminating in a near-fatal encounter with an electrified rail that profoundly impacts his relationship with his family. The novel grapples with themes of fear, identity, and belonging amidst the harsh realities of immigrant life. Sensitive topics include violence, child exploitation, and discussions of infidelity.