Publishers Weekly
08/26/2019
Comedy writer Gaffigan presents a surprisingly hilarious story about surviving a brain tumor in this debut memoir. Also a producer and mother of five, Gaffigan (who is married to comedian Jim Gaffigan) ignores increasingly annoying symptoms—declining hearing in one ear, balance problems—until a doctor insists she get checked out. The resulting MRI revealed a pear-shaped tumor (the inspiration for the book’s title) crowding Gaffigan’s brain stem—and turned her life, and her family’s, upside down. Throughout a difficult period involving a tracheotomy, feeding tube, and a stay in the intensive care unit, Gaffigan never loses her sense of humor, even when eating has been a struggle for several weeks. She also relays other difficult times in her life—especially an earlier loss of a much-wanted premature baby daughter—with grace and unflinching honesty. Her Catholic faith is evident throughout and her accessible writing style and honest voice create an intoxicating spell as she writes tenderly of learning the importance of living in the moment. Whimsically, Gaffigan thanks her brain tumor in her acknowledgements, for teaming her with outstanding medical providers and for inspiring her loving family. Readers will be uplifted by Gaffigan’s perseverance and outlook. (Oct.)
From the Publisher
"Jeannie Gaffigan is an infinitely touching and personable writer, and her charm and force-of-nature persona saturate each page." —America Magazine
"A surprisingly hilarious story about surviving a brain tumor...her accessible writing style and honest voice create an intoxicating spell as she writes tenderly of learning the importance of living in the moment. Readers will be uplifted by Gaffigan's perseverance and outlook."—Publishers Weekly
"Funny, endearing...[readers] will love Gaffigan's optimism, humor, and fascinating fight to reclaim her life...a fun blend of celebrity, mom, and medical memoir rolled into one."—Booklist
"Jeannie Gaffigan's indomitable spirit leaps off the pages in this moving, intimate, and (against all odds) funny memoir about one of the most trying times of her life. WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU PEARS is full of wisdom, inspiration, and resilience. Don't miss it."—Harlan Coben, New York Times bestselling author
"Behind every truly funny man is an even funnier woman. Which is why, after learning that she has a pear-shaped brain tumor, comedy writer Jeannie Gaffigan is perhaps the most perfect person to take the horrible thing and write about it with signature humor, wit, and sarcasm. From discovery to recovery, this story about surviving a medical crisis (and five kids) has you rocketing through every human emotion from gratitude to grief, but most of all it has you laughing and nodding your head at her wry and comedic take on life. Throw in a big helping of faith (yes, the God kind), irreverence, and universal parenting truths and you've got a must-read memoir that reminds all of us what' s important. This is a book to be shared with all."
—Lee Woodruff, New York Times bestselling author and journalist
"I've known Jeannie for a long time and it's no surprise that she turns the terror of a brain tumor into a hilarious and heartwarming tale."—Tony Hale, Emmy-winning actor and comedian (Arrested Development, VEEP, Toy Story 4)
"After reading Jeannie Gaffigan's moving, funny, and inspiring story, I have one only wish: I want her and Jim to adopt me. I mean, at this point, what's another kid? It's not like they'd notice."—Mo Rocca, author of Mobituaries: Great Lives Worth Reliving
