Michael Chabon’s first book is called "The Little Knife" and Other Short Stories. It had, similarly to many other collections, different names depending on where and when it was published. "The Little Knife" and Other Short Stories is often called "A model world" and other short stories, after the name of the first part of the book. "The Little Knife" and Other Short Stories contains two parts; the first part is called "A model world" , while the second part is called The Lost World.
"The Little Knife" is the first short story in the second part of the book. This narrative is about a young boy, Nathan, and his family. During the last summer before his parents decided to be separated, we learn a story of why, from Nathan’s point of view, his parents decided to not be together anymore. All the blame is put on Nathan, because he stole a little knife.