When Life Gives You Pears

The Healing Power of Family, Faith, and Funny People

By: Jeannie Gaffigan

Narrated by: Jeannie Gaffigan, Jim Gaffigan, Liz Noth

The Big Sick meets Dad is Fat in this funny and heartfelt New York Times bestselling memoir from writer, director, wife, and mother, Jeannie Gaffigan, as she reflects on the life-changing impact of her battle with a pear-sized brain tumor.
In 2017, Jeannie's life came to a crashing halt when she was diagnosed with a life-threatening brain tumor. As the mother of 5 kids -- 6 if you include her husband -- sat in the neurosurgery department in star-covered sweats too whimsical for the seriousness of the situation, all she could think was "Am I going to die?"

Thankfully, Jeannie and her family were able to survive their time of crisis, and now she is sharing her deeply personal journey through this miraculous story: the challenging conversations she had with her children; how she came to terms with feeling powerless and ferociously crabby while bedridden and unable to eat for a month; and how she ultimately learned, re-learned and re re-learned to be more present in life.

With sincerity and hilarity, Jeannie invites you into her heart (and brain) during this trying time, emphasizing the importance of family, faith and humor as keys to her recovery and leading a more fulfilling life.

Critic reviews

"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

It was a wonderfully told story.

When I listen to audible I’m driving or working in the house. This story had me pulled in from the forward. I loved it. I was routing for Jeannie. What a personal account of a family and the power of love.

Heartwarming and funny!

Thanks for sharing your story. Really enjoyed it and learned a lot too. Your family sounds wonderful and shows how it should be done when someone in the family has a crisis.

Couldnt stop listening!

I bought the audio book after seeing Jeanne on EWTN. 24 hours later, I finished it. I couldn’t stop listening to this story of love, surrender, hope and trust in God and others. What an experience in your family to have and grow from. It goes to show you, prove even, that God can make good from bad. He doesn’t return us to where we were before, but to a greater place with Him as our center. Thank you Jeanne for writing it, for persevering through such a trial and in keeping a loving, giving perspective of faith and family first. You are a great inspiration and I hope many will read this book. I will endorse it fully to my friends and family! God bless you and Jim and all your beautiful kids. Cathy

The inspiration I needed

As a parent who’s toddler was treated for a CPP last month and who is currently in inpatient rehab, I was looking for guidance and inspiration. Happy I came across this book in an online search for information on this rare tumor type. This book provided me an “inside friend” as I listened to it in spurts whilst going through the toughest time in my life. Thank you, Jeannie, for writing this book filled with life lessons, humor and hope. <3 MT

Unexpected heart wrenching honesty and humor.

Her humor and honesty were refreshing. I could visualize her in all of the situations. I have always loved her husbands humor, now I am a fan of her also. Can’t wait till their kids write their books!

Spectacular

A beautiful, honest and faithful memoir. Thank you for sharing your transformation Jeannie Gaffigan. I laughed and cried and couldn’t have picked a better book for my first Audible listen (least of all in a pandemic).

Thank you!!

Thank you for sharing your story so openly! Praying that it helps everyone that reads it. Many blessings to you and your family!!

We are HUGE Gaffigan FANS 💖💖💖

LOVED IT!!!!

This was a totally uplifting experience! The perfect balance of tenderness, giggles and inspiration! I can’t wait to recommend it to everyone I know

Go get this book!

Hilarious, heartwarming, scary, and, well, just a great personal travelogue of the experience of the removal and recovery from a brain tumor, and the love and support of God, family, friends, and team required to have it be successful.

Life-affirming book by a favorite family

Absolutely wonderful, funny, life-affirming book that will entertain and add value to your life!Absolutely wonderful, funny, life-affirming book that will entertain and add value to your life!