The Old Gents

by José Yglesias

Bones stiff and muscles aching, German Moran finds little inspiration or comfort in the literary life he has led for most of his time on earth as a writer and one-time radical. He has raised children and penned diverse chronicles, but old age and infirmity have contributed more than their share of ennui.
Familiar stirrings awaken and long-forgotten juices soon begin to flow, however, when a comely actress, Gwendolyn, and her toddler move in next door. German's grander philosophical questions about the meaning of life and death quickly give way to more basic, poignantly naive Does she return his love? Is he too old? Can he compete in muscular vigor and tone with her live-in partner?
To complicate matters, the unlikely rival for the charms of Gwendolyn is a dashing young movie producer who happens to be German's own son!

176 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Current]

To the above description, I would also add that the novel is made all the more interesting because it represents the author's last effort before his passing at the age of seventy-five. I dug this tale of an old man battling old-man ailments, putting up with his worrisome sons, and having an unrequited love affair with a young woman for its knowing self-awareness of literary convention and its acceptance of those limits during the telling of the story. I'd like to read what else this guy wrote during his life and see if The Old Gents contains any self-mockery of his former works as a more serious author.