The New Life of Hugo Gardner

The ghost of Louis Auchincloss hovers over this witty tale of Manhattan’s Waspy, wealthy Upper East Siders by Begley (About Schmidt). Hugo Gardner, a retired Time bureau chief in his 80s, is shocked when Valerie, his wife of almost 40 years, announces her intention to divorce him. Hugo—somewhat improbably—had no idea that she was unhappy with their relationship, or that she was having an affair with a younger French restaurateur. An ugly confrontation with his adult daughter and a possible diagnosis of cancer impel Hugo to fly to Paris, where he has been invited to speak at a political conference. Once there, Hugo impulsively decides to look up Jeanne, his French lover from before he met Valerie. To Hugo’s surprise, Jeanne agrees to meet, and before the reader can say coup de foudre, they have resumed their affair. But will this end up being the last great love of Hugo’s life? As always, Begley dissects the workings of the WASP heart with great precision. Begley writes touchingly about an older American visiting Europe and finding a second chance at life by shaking off the doldrums of his previous existence. Hugo’s octogenarian voyage of discovery will delight readers. (Mar.)