Bernie Reubens is the younger son of a Jewish family living innorth London. His father Manny and uncle Jimmy have beenrunning a grocery store on the street for many years. There are afew things that Bernie does not like about his parents. They are rathermiserly， saving every penny of their earnings， stashing them under the floorof their bedroom instead of in a bank. They keep the house very clean anddo not welcome visitors. What's more， they appear to prefer his brotherAlvin， who seems smarter and more handsome than Bernie who appearsordinary， suffers from asthma and wears glasses.