zahavasdad,
Like Ive seen, ive read “Frum” Books and you see things like how the father spent all his time learning (and not spend with the son)
I think there’s a difference between a distant father and a neglectful father. A soldier can spend most of his time away from his family, but that isn’t neglectful per se. Reb Saunders made a conscious decision to refuse emotional connection with Danny.
You are also spending all your energy on this one aspect of “The Pain and the widsom of the silence” There is alot more to the book than that.
Silence and pain seem to be primary themes of the novel.
You dont seem to mention how the Rebbe really took a liking to the Less relgious boy and invited him over regulary (Except during the Zionist phase)
I did not perceive Reuven to be “less religious” in the novel – now you’re gonna get the MO posters up in arms 🙂