Schmidt Steps Back

Schmidt #3

by Louis Begley

Now seventy-eight, and just as passionate, sharp, and endearingly prickly as ever, Albert Schmidt faces a life alone, with only the crumbs of grandfatherly status and a less-than-demanding position at an international organization to sustain him. His only hope is Alice Verplanck, the French widow of a former partner, as elusive as she is beautiful. Whether his rusty seduction skills can lure her from Paris to the Hamptons won’t be known, though, until Schmidt endures one more ordeal by fire. Hilarious, engrossing, and deeply poignant, Schmidt Steps Back is Louis Begley’s finest novel yet.

Genres: Fiction, Literature

402 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Louis Begley is an American novelist.

Begley was born Ludwik Begleiter in Stryi at the time part of Poland and now in Ukraine, as the only child of a physician. He is a survivor of the Holocaust due to the multiple purchases of Aryan papers by his mother and constant evasion of the Nazis. They survived by pretending to be Polish Catholic. The family left Poland in the fall of 1946 and settled in New York in March 1947. Begley studied English Literature at Harvard College (AB '54, summa cum laude), and published in the Harvard Advocate. Service in the United States Army followed. In 1956 Begley entered Harvard Law School and graduated in 1959 (LL.B. magna cum laude).

Upon graduation from Law School, Begley joined the New York firm of Debevoise & Plimpton as an associate; became a partner in January 1968; became of counsel in January 2004; and retired in January 2007. From 1993 to 1995, Begley was also president of PEN American Center. He remains a member of PEN's board of directors, as well as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

His wife of 30 years, Anka Muhlstein, was honoured by the French Academy for her work on La Salle, and received critical acclaim for her book A Taste for Freedom: The Life of Astolphe de Custine.

His first novel, Wartime Lies, was written in 1989. It won the PEN/Hemingway Award for a first work of fiction in 1991. The French version, Une éducation polonaise, won the Prix Médicis International in 1992. He has also won several German literature prizes, including the Jeanette Schocken Prize in 1995 and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation Literature Prize in 2000.

His novel About Schmidt was adapted into a major motion picture starring Jack Nicholson.

Reviews

[Stephen Hickman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Impeccably written, beautifully constructed, and a reading pleasure, though I cannot say I adored it. If you find a lot of what purports to be literary fiction coming out of the USA, self indulgent elitist navel gazing, you may struggle with the the subject matter on offer here. Schmidtie is outrageously rich, well connected, and at 78 irresistible to women. If the simple sub text is that even a man with it all has his problems I think the pathos could have had a more comedic self deprecating quality. Perhaps Begley's intended audience will be laughing at Schmidtie's wine choices fashionably dry comments on certain suburbs or professional qualifications or what not. Begley has been compared to Wodehouse but here there is no Jeeves and it is a bit of a lonely old stroll for Schmidtie as he attempts to deal with his spoilt depressed daughter, his young x-mistress, and his older future girlfriend, not to mention side liaisons where Begley, to his credit, tells it as it is. 'Eat Me'.

Schmidt Steps back is not so much a story as a life. I didn't feel particularly sorry for Schmidt nor do I presume that was Begley's intention. Is it supposed to be a gently concealed parody or will some find it instructional or aspirational? All I can say for sure is that Schmidt steps back is so far removed from my life that any lessons are obscured by so much wealth and privilege that I could never draw a parallel. Is Schmidtie someone to pity or laugh at? I could do neither.

[Andrew Percoco · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am curious to see if there will be a 4th novel.

[Dragana · Rating 2 out of 5]

I felt like giving it 1 star only, partly because of immense disappointment compared to Schmidtie prequels; or did I not read them right back then? I'll let it go and give 2 starts for elegance of writing and soupçon of satire, though I'm afraid he was serious. Otherwise: no horny fool sadder than an old horny fool.

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

to sum it up: adjective, adjective, adjective, cliche cliche cliche. What is "novel" about this novel? It beats me. The only romantic plot in this not very insightful narrative the one between the main character (the chauvinist Schmidt) and his adoring creator, Louis Begley.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Schmidt is now 78, and reuniting with a past flame. This cause th I’m to reflect back to the 1st time they were together (17 years ago). Most of the novel is his life during those years. I enjoyed this last book in the trilogy more than book 1 (book 2 wasn’t in my linty, but a very detailed review in goodreads filled the gaps). Schmidt still has a huge sex drive and loose morals, but it was a well written novel. Hope there’s a box 4

[AJ Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I ended up liking the story. The third book started off in a hard to jump into style as neither of the first two books used it. But it did a good job to expand on the main characters motives, show growth through hard times, and had me wanting to keep reading.

[Susie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found the book too slow & didn’t finish reading it.

[Wendy Hargrove · Rating 2 out of 5]

The dumbest ending ever. Ruined it for me.

[Barbara (Bobby) Title · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on how I felt after reading "Wartime Lies", I decided to read everything I could find written by this man. Then I promptly forgot about him until I saw "Schmidt Steps Back" sitting in plain sight at the local library. I grabbed it and ran. Then I discovered it was the last of three "Schmidtie" books.

I would like to have known about, and read, the other two first. But I was too anxious to backtrack at this point. I started in!

I love this author's way with the pen (or computer, more likely). And I loved this book, though without the earlier life of Schmidtie mitigating my feeling about this last one, I must say that it pretty much seemed like the literary person's Peyton Place. I don't mean this is any negative way, for either the 1956 story or this one. It's subject matter was just a surprise.

Having said this, I will let this story digest a bit before I tackle another of his books. But it might not be one of the "Schmidtie" books at first grab. I think I'll opt for a little immersion in the brain of the writer that I'm crazy about first.

Will I recommend this book now, though? Absolutely.

[Pamela Hovanec · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book started out slow, buts it's getting real good with situation of the lives, loved.
OH SCHMIDT'Y!!
a bit slow this book is,the characters are real nice and i enjoy them and their lives.
IM NOT SURE WHAT TO THINK ABOUT THIS BOOK, ITS A BIT SLOW , BUT GOOD, I DO LIKE THE DETAILS IN THE LIVES OF EVERYONE AND THEIR TRIBULATIONS IN LIFE,I DO REALLY LIKE ALSO HOW THEY DESCRIBE HOW SOME PEOPLE SEE EACH OTHER AND WHAT THEY ARE IMAGING. HOW ALL 3 MEN MAKE LOVE TO A PREGNANT WOMAN THAT WAS GOOD! CHEERING TO SEX THATS GREAT, LOVE IT! SCHMIDTY IS A LADIES MAN!
HIS DAUGHTER CAN BE NASTY,, HOPEFULLY SHE WILL COME AROUND. WELL IT TOOK HER LONG ENOUGHT TO SEE WHAT RENATA IS UP TOO.. SHES NASTY! HER RELATIONSHIP WITH HER DAD SEEMS BE BACK ON TRACK AND GETTING BETTER, THEN THAT! OMG! THIS BOOK SURPRISED ME I ENDED UP LIKING IT VERY MUCH! GOOD FOR YOU SCHMITTY!

[Irwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read all of the Schmidt series, because I like Schmidt. Even though on the surface he is unlikable. Part Anti Semite and part curmudgeon, among other things. He is someone who has lived life in the rarified air, and explored all parts of himself, through sex, through work and his dicey family and personal relationships. Not to mention his love for Bridgehampton. This book is about his descent into old(er) age, still grasping at one last committed relationship with an age appropriate woman, a far cry from his dalliances with twenty year olds. The pain of his daughter's life, her depression and recovery, and finally finding happiness only to see her end in tragedy blindsided me. It also taught Schmidt that life is fleeting, so you must go for it. Worth it.

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third novel about the complex character, Albert Schmidt. I wish that I had read them all in order, but I look forward to reading the second installment, SCHMIDT DELIVERED. The title character is an elegant and knowledgeable man who is plagued by family problems, but he has more money and material possessions than he could ever hope to use. Many might think that he would have no reason to despair, yet Louis Begley deftly makes you part of Schmidt's fractured world, and you really learn to appreciate the oddly colorful and vexing collection of friends and family that make up his life.

I really loved it!

[Judith L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Albert Schmidt, the 78 year old main character in this book, SCHMIDT STEPS BACK, shows that age is only in the mind of the beholder, but being very wealthy really helps deal with the issue. Facing loneliness after the past death of his wife, Mary and the recent death of his daughter, Caroline, Schmidtie reaches out to a younger French widow named Alice. Begley's portrayal of love and sex in the golden years is tastefully written. His character developed in earlier Schmidt books is still evolving in this one. Will he ever figure out why he fails in relationships with the women in his life? Is there another Schmidtie book in the near future?

[Corny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Schmidt is back for a star turn in this well crafted novel of one man's trials, not unlike the Rabbit series of Updike. Schmidt, the irrepressible Wasp with all his warts has never been more appealing than in this story of his later life. The supporting characters although somewhat contrived are always interesting from the Egyptian Billionaire Mansour to Carrie, the worldly wise waitress. This novel is both moving and darkly funny. I am a Begley fan. However, others might find his work less interesting.

[Picivi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Schmidt ist wie immer, aber irgendwie zu offensichtlich. Der Roman hätte mindestens 80 Seiten kürzer sein können, wenn Erklärungen zu den Vorgängern weggeblieben wären.
Dramatische Höhepunkte und Wendungen kommen so unvermittelt wie im wahren Leben. Aber der Witz und Charme der Vorgänger bleiben auf der Strecke.
Vielleicht kommt ja noch ein Schmidtie - das Ende ist offen. Ich hoffe auf einen versöhnlicheren Abschied.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always liked the novels by lawyer Louis Begley, retired partner of NY law firm debevoise & plimpton. His first book, wartime lies, is a real classic and a must-read. His later novels about retired lawyer Albert Schmidt are among my favorites, and I have really enjoyed this latest novel Schmidt steps back. True, these novels are like a tv series, but they are very cerebral, well articulated and thought out.

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had I read this series when I was younger, I don't think I would have appreciated it as much--I found myself not so much "rooting" for Schmidt as trying to understand how a man his age could make such stupid mistakes.

[Amélie Brouillard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many scenes I didn't need in that much detail (that's why only 3 stars, not 4) . But: I liked how at age seventysomething he felt like he was finally growing up, becoming an adult. Decisions are always difficult, no matter what stage of life we are in.

[Corey · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's time to include Louis Begley in the same conversation as Updike, Cheever and Bellow.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for the Boomer Generation from an American writer on par with John Irving, Saul Bellow and Philip Roth.

[Reid]

NYT

[Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very satisfying conclusion to the Schmidt trilogy. Long sentences, but they are well-crafted.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the narrative.... Well written.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Long sentences indeed. For a few I had to take a breath and read slower. But I liked this book. A nice ending to the Schmidt story. I'm going to read more Louis Begley in the future!

[Renee · Rating 2 out of 5]

doesn't get better with age . . .

[Nora · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of our greatest living writers gives us another subtle and heart-breaking novel about his anti-hero, Schmidt.

[Chloe Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

His books are all so well written!