The Competitive Nephew

"The Competitive Nephew" by Montague Glass is a humorous novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around the lives and interactions of various characters in the cloak and suit business, highlighting themes of nepotism, competition, and the complexities of human relationships. Central to the narrative are Aaron Pinsky, an asthmatic customer with a fondness for his ambitious nephew Fillup, and the business partners Sam Zaretsky and Max Fatkin, who navigate the challenges of the retail world while dealing with Aaron's interference and aspirations for his nephew. At the start of the novel, readers are introduced to Sam Zaretsky and Max Fatkin, who express their frustrations about competition and the challenges of hiring male employees who might eventually threaten their business. The conversation quickly turns to Aaron Pinsky, who boasts about his promising nephew Fillup, recently graduated from business college. After some comedic miscommunication and Aaron's insistence, Max and Sam reluctantly agree to bring Fillup into their business. As Aaron's character unfolds, with his asthmatic condition often taking center stage in humorous exchanges, the opening sets the stage for various intertwining narratives of ambition, loyalty, and the quirks of family dynamics within the context of the business world.