There Are No Grown-Ups

A Midlife Coming-of-Age Story

By: Pamela Druckerman

Narrated by: Pamela Druckerman

The best-selling author of Bringing Up Bébé investigates life in her 40s, and wonders whether her mind will ever catch up with her face.

When Pamela Druckerman turns 40, waiters start calling her "Madame", and she detects a disturbing new message in mens' gazes: I would sleep with her, but only if doing so required no effort whatsoever.

Yet 40 isn't even technically middle-aged anymore. And after a lifetime of being clueless, Druckerman can finally grasp the subtext of conversations, maintain (somewhat) healthy relationships and spot narcissists before they ruin her life. What are the modern 40s, and what do we know once we reach them? What makes someone a "grown-up" anyway? And why didn't anyone warn us that we'd get cellulite on our arms? Part frank memoir, part hilarious investigation of daily life, There Are No Grown-Ups diagnoses the in-between decade when...

• Everyone you meet looks a little bit familiar.
• You're matter-of-fact about chin hair.
• You can no longer wear anything ironically.
• There's at least one sport your doctor forbids you to play.
• You become impatient while scrolling down to your year of birth.
• Your parents have stopped trying to change you.
• You don't want to be with the cool people anymore; you want to be with your people.
• You realize that everyone is winging it, some just do it more confidently.
• You know that it's OK if you don't like jazz.

Internationally best-selling author and New York Times contributor Pamela Druckerman leads us on a quest for wisdom, self-knowledge, and the right pair of pants. A witty dispatch from the front lines of the 40s, There Are No Grown-ups is a (midlife) coming-of-age story, and an audiobook for anyone trying to find their place in the world.

©2018 Pamela Druckerman (P)2018 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“There has been remarkably little good writing about this thorny topic but here, with excellent timing, comes Pamela Druckerman’s pitch-perfect and brutally frank There Are No Grown-Ups. . . . She has a reckless candor that can make you laugh and gasp at the same time. . . . As Nora Ephron said, 'Everything is copy.' For those of us who regard I Feel Bad About My Neck as a bible for the midlife woman, Ephron is simply irreplaceable, but Druckerman is the heir to her impish, unembarrassable spirit and adorable storytelling.” (The New York Times Book Review)

“Essayist Druckerman is both droll and wise on facing the inevitability (and occasional upsides!) of aging.” (People)

“The decline of being middle-aged is probed with humor (chapter 7: How to Plan a Ménage à Trois), honesty (chapter 10: How to Have a Midlife Crisis) and heart (chapter 8: How to be Mortal).” (Family Circle Magazine)

Fan on the writer. Another great book.

Since her last book I became a fan of Pamela Druckerman. (btw her “bringing up bebe” is a must read/listen!).
I was not sure I was enjoying the voice style they chosen, but then it did grow on me, (I often stop listening audiobooks bcse of voice actors choices) After a few chapters I actually enjoyed her reading, (then I found out that the writer was reading it).
It’s a great book, the plot is fun, real, actual and it’s a treat when she mixes french with english.

A Really Enjoyable Read!

This is a very fun and easy read. A heartwarming reflection from one of my favorite authors. I love her style and view on life.
-Jill

Enjoyable but....

I have always like everything about French culture. The food, the mannerisms, and diffently the style of French women. Growing up in Germany, European life became my foundation. This shows in the way I dress and my mannerisms. As a black woman I am aware of the stereotypes that are out there about us. Not ALL black women "let themselves go" after a certain age although it does appear that way in general. It's all dependent upon what you are exposed to, no matter your race. Same is true for white women...not all " keep themselves up" after a certain age. All in all, really enjoyed this book. Good insight.

I highly identified with most parts of this book.

I liked the insight into our culture specific approaches to life and relationship. I felt comradery with the author on many points. I did not relate to her view on her marriage or bodily appearance, but that also comforted me in a sense. Thank you!

Great Storyteller

I will read anything Druckerman writes, even when I have seemingly zero personal application. This book was captivating and informative!

Totally relatable!

This is just the book I needed as I approach another birthday in my late-40s. This is the first book I’ve read by Pamela Druckerman and it will not be the last! Though I didn’t relate to every scenario that she has experienced in her 40s, I totally appreciated her honesty & wittiness when maneuvering through life’s events as a 40 year old expat mother of three. Overall, I enjoyed her writing style and her narration was easy-going & made for a quick listen. Kudos to Madame Druckerman for acknowledging & accepting her own true story as good enough; a very grown up thing to do.

I Can’t Wait to Read More From This Author

This self assessing book is the perfect balance of light, honest, encouraging, funny, and feminine. Her tale of ever growing and learning is helpful and inspiring. I greatly look forward to reading and listening to more of Pamela Druckerman’s books.

Mediocre

Mediocre, some interesting stories. May be worth reading for some but I struggled through it trying to stay awake.

Honest and entertaining

Great follow up to other book. Sometimes the hard truth can make you laugh out aloud, grimace or cry. Pamela brings the truth to her experience of navigating in her 40’s both as an American and one living in France. This book was enjoyable and I recommend it.

Surprisingly funny!

Really enjoyed this from start to finish. Made me feel more “normal”? Haha a very well thought out and researched book.