Once Upon a Midlife

When I turned 40 and started experiencing depression, feelings of loss and confusion, I read every book I could get my hands on regarding the midlife crisis. "Once Upon a Midlife" was absolutely the only book that put midlife into perspective and gave me insight into this developmental stage in the context of an entire life - throughout time and many cultures. I have given this book to every one of my friends turning 40. Not only is it reassuring, wise and insightful, it is also a heck of lot more fun to read than a psychology self-help book!

Chinen brings insight into the middle years of life with his delightful look at fairy tales from around the world that focus on the middle years. The simple tales are rich with psychological meaning and demonstrate the psychological tasks that must be achieved in the middle years to provide a sense of well being and balance. Move over Snow White and youthful princes--there is life after the hero!