'Uplifting, heartwarming and joyful. Restored my faith in humankind' RUTH JONES
'A celebration of life at every stage' JENNIE GODFREY
''Joyful, life-affirming and full of heart ... an absolute riot of a read' FREYA SAMPSON

When age makes you invisible, secrets are easier to hide

Daphne knows that age is just a number. She also knows that society no longer pays her any attention – something she’s happy to exploit to help her hide a somewhat chequered past.

But finding herself alone on her 70^th birthday, with only her plants to talk to and neighbours to stalk online, she decides she needs some friends. Joining a Senior Citizen's Social Club she’s horrified at the expectation she’ll spend her time enduring gentle crafting activities. Thankfully, the other members – including a failed actor addicted to shoplifting and a prolific yarn-bomber – agree.

After a tragic accident, the local council threaten to close the club – but they have underestimated the wrong group of pensioners...and with the help of a teenage dad and a geriatric, orphaned dog, the incongruous gang set out to prove it.

As long as their pasts don't catch up with them first…

Readers LOVE How to Age Disgracefully:

***** 'Surprising, inspiring and hilarious!!'
***** 'A breath of fresh air . . . funny and entertaining'
***** 'A fantastic read'
***** 'If you're looking for a feel-good book, look no further!'
***** 'A joyful read from beginning to end'

Clare Pooley, The Bookseller bestseller, April 2023

Uplifting, heartwarming and joyful. Restored my faith in humankind, it’s the perfect book to escape to in these troubled times. So funny, so moving, and so glad I read it. * Ruth Jones *
A feelgood comedy about the perils of underestimating OAPs. Clare Pooley's third novel is an affectionate swipe at ageism - her witty turn of phrase and gloriously British sense of humour makes this a breezily entertaining read, and Daphne is a scurrilous delight * The Times *
How to Age Disgracefully is a celebration of life at every age and stage. I laughed, cried and cheered at this wonderful novel * Jennie Godfrey, Sunday Times bestselling author of The List of Suspicious Things *
A warm and uplifting story about making friends, smashing stereotypes and the importance of community - I loved it * Sarah Turner *
Clare Pooley weaves together the most cleverly flawed and lovable characters and then sets them free to prove that we are limitless at any age. How to Age Disgracefully is a love letter to the human spirit * Annabel Monaghan, author of Nora Goes Off Script *
Warm, witty perfection * Good Housekeeping *
Clare Pooley writes the kind of characters that I want to be when I grow up! I laughed such a lot reading this book, even as my heart was breaking. It is another triumph; truthful, insightful and full of joy. I am in love with this book * Jenny Bayliss *
Joyful, life-affirming and full of heart, How to Age Disgracefully is an absolute riot of a read, full of perfectly flawed characters who made me laugh, cry and cheer. . .you'll never look at a septuagenarian the same way again! * Freya Sampson *
A roof-raising triumph! Bursting with heart . . . this is peak Pooley and I loved, loved, LOVED it! * Matt Cain *
Utterly hysterical and full of heart, with hugely loveable characters, a dialogue that had me in stitches and many profound moments. A totally wonderful, spirit-lifting read! * Helly Acton *
Funny, warm, wise and a total riot * Beth Morrey *
Clare Pooley’s books get better and better with every one. I absolutely loved this! * Katie Fforde *
Another stunning book from Clare Pooley, How to Age Disgracefully is guaranteed to warm your heart and brighten your days. Enthralling, vibrant, deliciously eccentric and just so funny * Hazel Prior *
Reading this book felt like a warm hug and its endearing, witty characters like old friends (Daphne is my hero!). I can’t recommend it enough * Tess Amy *
Praise for Clare Pooley * : *
Heartwarming and uplifting * Bella *
Pooley's characters will stay with you long after you turn the final page * Mike Gayle *
A glorious triumph of a novel; warm funny and moving with an unforgettable cast of characters * Rosie Walsh *
Insighful, funny and full of warmth * Sarah Morgan *
A devious delight * Woman's Own *

Clare Pooley graduated from Newnham College, Cambridge and spent twenty years in the heady world of advertising, before becoming a full-time writer.

Clare's dark but hilarious memoir, The Sober Diaries, has helped thousands of people around the world to quit drinking.

The Authenticity Project, Clare's debut novel, was a BBC Radio 2 bookclub pick, a New York Times bestseller, the winner of the RNA debut novel award and a Babelio award. It's been translated into 29 languages.

The People on Platform 5 is Clare's second novel, inspired by her fascination with inventing stories about her fellow passengers on her commute to work.

Clare lives in Fulham, London with her husband, three children and two border terriers.