It’s not often a television show speaks to me so personally but the eponymous Fleabag, which has just ended its run on BBC2 goes down as one of the best shows of my life. It was so good I watched the entire two seasons again when the last episode had finished, and days later I am still feeling her loss as keenly as the loss of a friend.
If you haven’t watched it, then I am recommending it right now. The entire show was a masterpiece, not a line or a camera shot wasted as Fleabag dealt with the loss of her mother, the loss of her best friend, the acceptance of being an imperfect human being, and all the trials and tribulations in between.
While I was sad to see it end, that last episode was absolute perfection. I lost it at “It’s God, isn’t it?” and I don’t mind admitting I gave Fleabag an involuntary wave back at the end. Phoebe Waller-Bridge, you are a genius!
If you’re feeling as sad as I am about the loss of this wonderful friend who shared all her deepest moments with us, then we have some book recommendations that might just ease the pain.
In at The Deep End – Kate Davies
Kate Davies’ debut novel about a twenty-something looking for love is authentic, frank, funny, and racy and ticks all the Fleabag boxes for us!
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine – Gail Honeyman
Eleanor Oliphant may be the complete antithesis to Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag but for sheer authenticity in female characters, it makes this list. Plus, I missed Eleanor almost as much as I am missing Fleabag!
Nina is Not OK – Shappi Khorsandi
17-year-old Nina and her drunken exploits will speak to the teenager in all of us. A darkly funny, coming of age novel that will have you laughing, and crying! Endearing, breathtakingly honest and the perfect antidote to our Fleabag loss.
The Last Black Unicorn – Tiffany Haddish
The Last Black Unicorn is a memoir, but with Fleabag it often felt like we were intruding on something deeply personal, and this funny memoir filled with sexual exploits and unflinching honesty definitely has the Fleabag vibe.
Olive Kitteridge – Elizabeth Strout
Funny, wicked and remorseful, Olive Kitteridge is likely to stay with you as long as Fleabag, as thirteen rich stories revolve around this single character.
The Thorn Birds – Colleen McCollough
Of course while it’s lacking other Fleabag elements, if you want to read more about illicit love affairs with priests, then The Thorn Birds is definitely one for your TBR, there’s even an adaptation from the 80s if you prefer.
Where’d You Go, Bernadette – Maria Semple
Fleabag showed us how dysfunctional families can still work, and when Bernadette goes missing in Where’d You Go, Bernadette, we learn about mother and daughter relationships too.
The Hottest Dishes of the Tartar Quisine – Alina Bronsky
Humorous, witty, clever: The Hottest Dishes of the Tartar Quisine is the tale of three women whose destinies are tangled up in a family dynamic that is both hilarious and tragic.
Reasons to be Cheerful – Nina Stibbe
The journey into adulthood can be a difficult one, and this hilarious coming of age novel about Lizzie and her new job in the local dentists office is touching, empathetic and fun.
The Pisces – Melissa Broder
Sadly Fleabag fell in love with someone unattainable, a Catholic priest. In The Pisces that unattainable love is a merman in this funny, erotic and frankly sublime award winning novel.
We know you don’t need us any more, Fleabag but if you change your mind, or fancy popping back for a Christmas special, we’d love to see you. For now, goodbye!
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