Roth's 1937 novella, published by the Exile Press Querido, revolves around the character of the master carpenter Anselm Eibenschütz, exploring themes of deception, law, justice, and love, and quickly became a classic. The author employs all the tools of storytelling: the tension-filled situation of the seemingly honorable hero in a hostile environment is as gripping as the tale of a love that comes too late, along with the associated suffering, alcoholism, and self-destruction, the criminal elements of the plot, complete with adventurous characters and cold-blooded murder, and ultimately the overarching narrative patterns of guilt and atonement that resonate with both Jewish and Christian traditions.