I was moved by one of the earliest scenes in the novel. A young boy has lost his sister--after losing his father, his mother, and his aunt--and he is devastated. A man who is clearly not as strong as he would like to be is riddled by doubt and fear--so much so that he is virtually paralyzed into inaction. Neither appears to have anyone else to turn to, and it is a compelling moment when they join forces (even if there is nothing sentimental or emotional about the connection).