Chapter 43 Summary and Analysis

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Summary

As the group leaves the Curious Whaler after dinner, the earlier squall has escalated into a full gale, with rain falling sideways. Sebastian's phone buzzes with a call from his sister, and he steps aside to take it, leaving Clover and Hugo alone under an awning.

Clover thanks Hugo for dinner, noting his generous tip for Roma. Hugo explains that the restaurant was his grandfather's favorite—he ate thousands of meals there over the years. The restaurant even began serving bouillabaisse because of him, as it was the dish he missed most from France, along with pastis. Hugo describes his grandfather as beloved, someone who knew everyone in town and entertained them with Mediterranean sailor stories. But by the end, most of his friends had either moved into nursing homes or passed away, a loneliness Hugo calls “the curse of longevity.”

Hugo reveals that his grandfather lived on a houseboat on the lake. Before his grandmother died, the boat was a retreat; after her death, he sold their saltbox house and moved there permanently. Hugo says his grandfather preferred being surrounded by trees, and Hugo himself loves the peace of nature, mentioning a family of ruby-throated hummingbirds that lives near his own boat. Clover impresses him by knowing that hummingbirds beat their wings up to eighty times a second—a fact she credits to her grandfather. She also remembers Hugo's dog, Gus, and mentions her own bulldog, George, who dislikes running outdoors.

Sebastian, still on the phone, frowns in their direction. Hugo asks where Clover and Sebastian are staying, and Clover says they've booked rooms at a motel outside Lincolnville. She clarifies that she and Sebastian are not a couple—she's simply helping his grandmother. Hugo remarks on how good it is of her to help find resolution before Claudia dies, and wishes they could have brought Claudia and his grandfather together. Clover reflects that people often don't realize their feelings until life is almost over. Hugo then asks Clover directly, “What would you regret?” For the first time in months, Clover finds it impossible to lie, and the words are already forming when Sebastian taps her shoulder, impatient to leave.

Sebastian is frustrated with his sister, who he says is being bossy about their grandmother's care despite hardly visiting. Clover offers to drive, noting that Sebastian is more intoxicated than she is. Hugo offers to lead them to the motel, since the dark, potholed roads are hazardous. They follow his taillights through the fog, and Hugo safely guides them to the motel with blue doors. He says goodbye and wishes them safe travels back to Claudia. As Hugo drives away, Clover feels an unexpected weight in her chest—she's sad to see him go, even though she's only known him for a few hours.

Key Events

The storm intensifies as the group exits the restaurant, forcing them to shelter under an awning.
Sebastian receives a call from his sister and steps aside, leaving Clover and Hugo alone.
Hugo explains that the Curious Whaler was his grandfather's favorite restaurant, which began serving bouillabaisse because of him.
Hugo describes his grandfather's loneliness in old age, having outlived most friends and moved to a houseboat after his wife's death.
Hugo and Clover bond over nature, hummingbirds, and their dogs, Gus and George.
Hugo asks where Clover and Sebastian are staying; Clover clarifies they are not a couple.
Hugo asks Clover what she would regret, but Sebastian interrupts before she can answer.
Sebastian vents about his sister's interference in their grandmother's care.
Clover drives because Sebastian is more intoxicated; Hugo leads them to the motel through the dark roads.
Hugo says goodbye and wishes them safe travels to Claudia; Clover feels unexpectedly sad to see him go.

Character Development

Clover shows significant growth in this chapter. She is more relaxed and open than usual, enjoying the conversation with Hugo and even sharing personal details about her grandfather and her dog. The moment Hugo asks what she would regret, she finds it impossible to lie—a stark contrast to her usual guardedness. Her sadness at Hugo's departure hints at a growing emotional connection, suggesting she is beginning to confront her own feelings and desires.

Hugo emerges as a warm, attentive, and perceptive character. He is generous (tipping Roma), thoughtful (blocking the wind for Clover), and empathetic (understanding Sebastian's stress). His stories about his grandfather reveal a deep respect for memory and legacy, and his love of nature suggests a peaceful, grounded personality. His question about Clover's regrets shows he is genuinely interested in her inner life.

Sebastian remains preoccupied with family obligations. His frustration with his sister—who is trying to control their grandmother's care despite rarely visiting—highlights his own sense of responsibility and perhaps guilt. His interruption of Clover and Hugo's conversation, while unintentional, underscores his emotional distraction and his tendency to prioritize practical concerns over interpersonal moments.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Longevity and isolation: Hugo's grandfather's story illustrates that living long can mean outliving friends and loved ones, leading to profound loneliness. This echoes Claudia's situation and the novel's broader meditation on aging.
Regret and missed opportunities: Hugo's direct question to Clover—what would she regret?—forces her to confront her own avoidance. The chapter suggests that recognizing regret while there's still time is a central challenge.
Nature as refuge: The houseboat, the lake, the hummingbirds, and the peaceful trees represent a retreat from the complications of human relationships. Hugo's appreciation for nature contrasts with the stormy, chaotic emotions of the evening.
Memory and legacy: The restaurant's bouillabaisse and the grandfather's stories are tangible ways his memory lives on. Hugo's preservation of these details shows how legacy persists through shared stories and places.
Family obligation vs. presence: Sebastian's sister's absence despite her attempts to control decisions highlights the difference between feeling obligated and actually being present. This theme resonates with Clover's work as a death doula.
Unspoken feelings and connection: Clover's inability to answer Hugo's question, and her sadness at his departure, point to an emerging attraction that neither character fully articulates. The chapter builds romantic tension through subtle gestures and pauses.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter deepens the emotional and thematic core of the novel. It introduces a potential romantic interest for Clover in Hugo, whose kindness and attentiveness contrast with Sebastian's distractedness. More importantly, Hugo's question—“What would you regret?”—directly challenges Clover's lifelong avoidance of her own desires. Her inability to lie in that moment signals a turning point in her self-awareness. The chapter also reinforces the novel's central themes of regret, loneliness, and the importance of seizing connection before it's too late. By placing Clover in a situation where she feels an unexpected pang of sadness at parting, the narrative suggests that she is beginning to open herself to the very feelings she has spent years suppressing.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Clover find it impossible to lie when Hugo asks what she would regret?

Clover has spent her career helping others confront their regrets, but she has avoided examining her own. In this moment, Hugo's genuine curiosity and the relaxed, intimate atmosphere—combined with the bourbon—lower her defenses. The text states that for the first time in months, it felt impossible to lie, indicating that her usual protective mechanisms are failing. This suggests that Hugo's presence and the conversation's honesty have created a rare space where she feels safe enough to be truthful, even if she doesn't get to voice the answer.

2. How does Hugo's story about his grandfather illustrate the theme of longevity and isolation?

Hugo explains that his grandfather was beloved and knew everyone in town, but by the end, most of his friends had moved into nursing homes or passed away. This illustrates that living a long life can mean outliving one's social circle, leading to profound isolation. The grandfather's move to a houseboat after his wife's death further emphasizes his retreat from a world that no longer contains his peers. This mirrors Claudia's own situation and reinforces the novel's exploration of how aging can bring loneliness even to those who were once surrounded by love.

3. What does Clover's sadness at Hugo's departure reveal about her character development?

Clover is puzzled by the weight she feels in her chest when Hugo drives away, noting she's only known him for a few hours. This unexpected sadness reveals that she is beginning to form a genuine emotional attachment, something she has likely avoided in the past. It shows a crack in her carefully constructed emotional armor, suggesting that she is becoming more open to connection and vulnerability. This moment sets the stage for her to confront her own regrets and desires as the story progresses.