Is there still sex in the city? by Candace Bushnell Summary
Overview
Candace Bushnell returns to explore dating after 50, where Tinder, "Cubbing," and vaginal rejuvenation replace Cosmos and Mr. Big. Her raw, humorous take on midlife romance proves sex doesn't end at menopause - it just gets more complicated.
- How "cubbing" challenges societal norms about older women dating younger men
- Why female friendships replace traditional families for women over 50 in cities
- Post-divorce sexuality reinvention through dating apps and genital rejuvenation surgery
- The "Unintended Cub Situation" as modern solution to midlife relationship gaps
- Why Manhattan real estate dictates romantic opportunities after age 45
- How Tinder reshapes power dynamics in middle-aged dating culture
- Candace Bushnell's manifesto against "happily ever after" marriage expectations
- Why divorced women become most interesting characters in urban social circles
- Restarting single life at 50 requires new rules for sex and intimacy
- How middle-aged dating mirrors Carrie Bradshaw's journey with modern twists
- Why women hide suburban divorces to maintain urban social status
- The "Second Singlehood" phenomenon redefining life chapters for metropolitan women
About the Author
Candace Bushnell, the internationally bestselling author and cultural commentator behind Is There Still Sex in the City?, has shaped modern narratives about women’s lives with her sharp wit and unflinching honesty.
Known for her contemporary fiction exploring love, power, and female ambition, Bushnell first rose to prominence with her groundbreaking Sex and the City column and subsequent book, which inspired the iconic HBO series and films.
Her other notable works, including Lipstick Jungle (adapted into an NBC series) and The Carrie Diaries (a CW prequel), solidify her reputation for capturing the complexities of women’s social and professional dynamics.
Born in Connecticut and a longtime New York City insider, Bushnell’s writing blends autobiographical insights with razor-edged social satire. Is There Still Sex in the City?, a New York Times bestseller, was hailed for its exploration of relationships and aging, proving her enduring relevance.
Her books have been translated into over 20 languages, with screen adaptations reaching millions worldwide.
FAQs About This Book
What is Is There Still Sex in the City? about?
Candace Bushnell's Is There Still Sex in the City? explores the romantic and social lives of women in their 50s navigating divorce, dating apps, and societal expectations in modern New York. Through candid storytelling, Bushnell examines middle-aged sexuality, friendship dynamics, and the challenges of reinvention in a youth-obsessed culture, blending humor with sharp cultural commentary.
Who should read Is There Still Sex in the City??
This book resonates with fans of Bushnell’s earlier works like Sex and the City, readers interested in midlife dating narratives, and those exploring themes of aging and female empowerment. It’s particularly relevant for women over 40 confronting societal stereotypes about sexuality and relationships.
How does Is There Still Sex in the City? compare to Sex and the City?
While Sex and the City focused on single women in their 30s, this sequel-esque work shifts to middle-aged characters grappling with divorce, motherhood, and societal invisibility. Bushnell trades Cosmopolitans for existential reflections, maintaining her signature wit while addressing darker realities of aging.
What are the key themes in Is There Still Sex in the City??
- Reinvention: Starting over after divorce or career shifts
- Societal double standards: Ageism in dating and sexuality
- Female friendship: Support networks in midlife crises
- Digital dating: Navigating apps like Tinder after 50
Does Is There Still Sex in the City? include autobiographical elements?
Yes. Bushnell draws from her own divorce and dating experiences, blending fictionalized stories with memoir-like insights. The book reflects her personal observations about New York’s social scene and the “Carrie Bradshaw” persona’s evolution into middle age.
What criticism has Is There Still Sex in the City? received?
Some critics argue the episodic structure lacks narrative cohesion, while others note its heteronormative focus doesn’t fully represent diverse midlife experiences. However, fans praise its unflinching look at aging in a sex-positive framework.
How does Bushnell address modern dating culture in the book?
The book dissects swiping-app fatigue, ghosting among middle-aged daters, and the paradox of infinite choice versus loneliness. Bushnell contrasts 1990s dating norms with today’s digital landscape, highlighting how technology reshapes intimacy.
What iconic quotes define Is There Still Sex in the City??
- “Divorce is the new college”: Reinvention through life upheavals
- “Fifty is the new twenty-five”: Rejecting ageist stereotypes
- “The Second Act”: Embracing new beginnings post-50
How does this book connect to Bushnell’s Sex and the City legacy?
It serves as both a spiritual successor and reality check to the original series’ fantasy, showing how characters evolve with age. Bushnell confronts HBO’s glamorized version with raw accounts of menopause, financial struggles, and societal erasure.
Why is Is There Still Sex in the City? relevant in 2025?
As Generation X enters their 50s/60s, the book taps into growing conversations about aging populations redefining sexuality and purpose. Its themes align with movements challenging age discrimination in media and relationships.
What self-help insights does the book offer?
- Embrace sexual agency at any age
- Cultivate resilience through life transitions
- Build communities beyond romantic relationships
- Redefine success metrics in midlife
Are there plans to adapt Is There Still Sex in the City? for TV?
While not directly stated in sources, Bushnell’s history with HBO (Sex and the City) and Paramount+ (And Just Like That...) makes adaptation likely. The book’s episodic structure and built-in fanbase create strong series potential.
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Key Themes in Is there still sex in the city?
Best quote from Is there still sex in the city?
people who "need" sex tend to make terrible decisions to get it.
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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