This is a grumpy old man novel, but it is delightful. The hero of the story German Moran, a writer in his eighties who lives in Greenwich village in New York City, has to deal with old age, prostate cancer, friends, neighbors, his own character, and three grown sons who also have writing careers and lives of their own. Things get a bit complicated when German feels a romantic interest toward a young actress neighbor and becomes jealous of her when one of his sons also shows interest in the woman.

understanding old age and the moods and trials the elderly go through. Yet, it is a book that leaves a smile as well as stirring sad and happy feelings in the reader.

the main character and his interior dialogue. The hero, despite his crankiness, shows a tenderness and a deep understanding of other characters. I also liked the other interesting characters in the story and the gentle give and take between them.

read another book by this writer because of his sharp wit and easily flowing ink.

Jose Yglesias, 1920-1995, was a novelist, journalist, and playwright. He is of Spanish-Cuban parents and his writings exhibit a deep understanding and respect to his characters and human affairs with sharp wit and humor. His writings draw upon his background, his Hispanic Heritage mixed with the American life. Some of Jose Yglesias' other works are The Guns in the Closet, The Franco Years, Break-In, A Wake in Ybor City, The Goodbye Land, In the Fist of the Revolution, An Orderly Life, The Truth about Them, Double Double, and The Kill Price. In his life, Jose Yglesias has received various awards and acclaim, including a National Endowment for the Arts and two Guggenheim Fellowships.

the well-developed characters and the writing style of the author are entertaining and the plot is about a sensitive person yet with great internal strength who doesn't give in to old age despite its infirmities, aches, pains, and loneliness. I believe the writer has drawn a lot from his own life, his own gentle character, and his own ego, when he wrote The Old Gents during the last year of his life.

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Created Aug 21, 2005 at 9:21am • Submit your own review...