Enough

by Dawn French

ETTA'S FOUND THE CURE FOR OLD AGE. BUT HER FAMILY WON'T LIKE IT . . .

Etta is sixty-eight years old. Happy, healthy and an active participant in her world, she’s gathered her family together for an unforgettable weekend.

Tick.
At 5am that Saturday morning, Etta wakes her daughter, her granddaughter, her son and her daughter-in-law up to lead everyone down to the beach. To ‘Etta’s Hollow’, where a roaring fire has already been lit. Drowsy but delighted – the sun is just starting to rise for a glorious dawn – Etta’s family bask in the beauty of the moment. A memory to be cherished forever.

Tick.

Until twenty minutes later, when Etta announces to her assembled beloveds something as shocking as it is alarming. ‘I have brought you all down to the beach this morning to tell you something important. You see, the thing is, today is my last day alive.’

Boom.

Over the next twenty-four hours, Etta and her family are about to have the most surprising, affecting life-affirming day of all their lives.

PRAISE FOR DAWN FRENCH

‘'Dawn tackles the big ones - love, death, grief, childhood, motherhood, parenthood - head on' Guardian

'Fantastic, passionate, compassionate, so much wisdom, a lot of humour and very real’ Bernadine Evaristo

'Gorgeous. Wise and full of love' Marian Keyes

'A life-affirming read' Daily Express

‘'An extraordinary book - sad, heartening, gripping and reassuringly human' Jo Brand

‘Tender and devastating, it almost broke my heart' Sunday Express

Genres: Audiobook

413 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 21, 2026

About the author

Dawn Roma French is a British actress, writer and comedian. In her career spanning three decades, she has been nominated for six BAFTA Awards and also won a Fellowship BAFTA along with her best friend Jennifer Saunders. She is best-known for starring in and writing her comedy sketch show, French and Saunders, alongside her comedy partner Jennifer Saunders, and for playing the lead role of Geraldine Granger in the sitcom The Vicar of Dibley.

Reviews

[Karen Little · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first Dawn French book - wow very impressive.

A book I understand the author has drawn from her experience to write, but in a far different way than the tragedy she suffered, you can tell as you turn each page that there is familiarity with the underlying subject matter.

As you start the book you find out the premise and every single page you turn you hope you get the outcome that you do. But you do have to read every single page to understand how the outcome is reached.

I am not a great one for emotional expressions, but the character of Etta, two years older than me, reached out to me in a way that a character on a page hasn’t done for a long time. Her dilemma that she came to resolve in her own way was not one I’m familiar with but I understand how she got there,. Overall the book is to to me a life of affirming story of how a normal dysfunctional, as we all are, family go about their everyday life and how at such an awful moment they realise what they mean to each other and it reignites the love for each other the care for each other but overall the respect for each other.

I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did, and if Dawn French is reading this all I can say is thank you. It was brilliant.

[Spwd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love Dawn French books and this one didn't disappoint, it's not my favourite but I still loved it. The comedy she manages to bring to a dark subject is really quite clever.
The relationship with her children is heartwarming but the relationship with Pearl is just so special, she manages to really capture the personality of a 5yr old.
The story of her father's birthday party had me in tears as did the "grape incident". I won't say anymore on that so as not to spoil it.
All in all a really enjoyable read and captures the subject matter really well.

[Michelle Perfitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every minute I spent reading this book. The roller coaster of emotions I experienced throughout this book was unreal. I'm a big fan of Dawn French and her work and this book didn't disappoint you can clearly hear the her humour on every page. Another outstanding piece of work from Dawn.

[Rhianna Clay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anyone rating this 5 stars is on crack. I’ve rounded up to a 3 because I’m feeling unusually generous. It won’t last. I couldn’t get past how cringey the dialogue was throughout. There were some genuine heartwarming elements, particularly the grandmother-granddaughter relationship which is always a weak spot for me because my nana was my great love but the dialogue really just spoilt it for me. Unusual premise and I liked the setting (exactly how I want to live out my old age, in a quirky house by the beach) but nowhere near as good as her last book.

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have had enough of the bodily function humour, the silly words (anyhoo?) and most of all the sentimental, homespun philosophising. I finished because I wanted to know what happens, but I didn’t enjoy the journey getting there.

[AnxiousCloud · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s not the journey or the destination that matters, it’s the company.

As someone who is in the depths of grief, I actually enjoyed this story. I immersed read it with the audiobook which Dawn French read herself which made it that more enjoyable.
Talking about grief, life, and what matters. A whole life is in this book and it was beautifully written.

[Marnie Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really beautifully told story.

[Natalie M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyable.

[Mairi Byatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

All a bit too self absorbed for me!

[Aria 88 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Audiobook review

Read by the author

No plot, no character development, no tension and release.

Starts with a bang … invites her son, his wife, her daughter, her baby granddaughter to tell them she’s topping herself … then tortures the listener with dull conversations

Flashbacks to school, first sex, first marriage, ex-husband’s death (she couldn’t even bother to have Etta tearfully become a widow), dad’s birthday, yawn, yawn

Huge spoiler












Baby Pearl chokes on a grape, Etta does CPR and saves her, Etta promises not to end it

[Katy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enough
⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is my third book of Dawn French's and I would say definitely different to all her others.

Etta is in her late sixty's and has decided that she has had enough of life, not for any worrying reason as she is totally fit and healthy only that she wants to spare her family her old age..... she may even be lonely? Etta has suffered a horrible lose in her life which is still very present in her life.

After pulling all the family together for one last day Etta decides to tell them why she has gathered them, all sat comfortably in Ettas Hollow on the beach with a rawing fire pit comes her news...... She is going to end her life, today is her last day on earth, once everyone has gone home... she has it all planned out!

The next twenty four hours have now turned into something special, however Dolly (her daughter), Vernon and Lizzy (her son and daughter in law) have other ideas, some very heart felt discussions and begging her not to do it take place, even time with Pearl her beautiful young grand daughter can't make her change her mind 💔

After discussions and a moving moment will Etta really go through with her decision???

Etta's story is told in two ways... at the start of each chapter you get to find out about Etta from her early years upto the present day (which I found is where the humour lied).

I found this book life affirming and really sad in places, but it definitely gets your brain and thoughts going!

Some places in the book are funny but not Dawn's typical delivery of humour.

[Emma Higginson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having previously read a couple of Dawn French's novels and found them witty and thoroughly enjoyable, I decided to pick up Enough after seeing it mentioned on her Instagram account. What I wasn't expecting was to be taken on such an emotional rollercoaster.

The novel moves effortlessly between laugh-out-loud moments, deeply relatable reflections, and scenes that are genuinely moving and, at times, upsetting. Set over the course of a single day, the story follows Etta as she drags both her family and the reader through the emotional turmoil of coming to terms with ageing.

At times, it felt as though Dawn French was sharing some of her own thoughts and feelings about growing older. Etta's journey is one that many women will recognise as their bodies begin to slow down and change, bringing with them questions about identity, purpose and what lies ahead.

There were a few sections that felt slightly drawn out, but I would encourage readers to stick with it. The story develops in unexpected ways, and the twists in the plot prompt reflection on our own lives, our relationships, and what we still have to look forward to.

Enough is funny, poignant and thought-provoking. It is a book that stays with you long after you've turned the final page.

[Susan Aldridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting contribution to the assisted dying debate! For Etta, 68-year-old mother of two grown-up children Vernon and Dolly, and a beloved granddaughter, Pearl, calls the family together to inform them that this is to be the last day of her life. For she has arranged (from an item bought online) to commit suicide at the end of the day as she doesn't want to be a burden on her loved ones as she ages and feels she has had 'enough' of a good life. The narrative alternates between slices of Etta's life, with her two husbands (one who died too young, the other who turned out to be guy but is now her best friend and, indeed, has stepped up to be with her during her final act and deal with the aftermath), and the 'final day' as it evolves with her family. So, this is a rich and interesting story and I will not reveal how it ends! But I did find the writing a little over-sentimental, which is why I have taken off a star!

[Ceyrone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dawn French’s Enough is a masterfully crafted, bittersweet masterpiece that tackles the deeply sensitive topics of aging, mortality, and bodily autonomy with remarkable grace and her signature razor-sharp wit. By confining the narrative to a tense, emotionally charged 24-hour window, French creates an intimate and profoundly moving family portrait that balances heartbreaking sorrow with laugh-out-loud humor. Etta’s radical choice forces her family—and the reader—to confront what it truly means to live well, making this beautifully written novel an unforgettable, life-affirming celebration of love, legacy, and human connection. The ultimate value of life is measured by the deep bonds we forge and the quality of the moments we share, rather than the quantity of years we accumulate. Loved this.

[A.M. Swink · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet, moving, and heartwarming tale of aging, family, and the joys of life. Etta thinks she’s had enough of life at 68. She’s experienced and accomplished everything she’s wanted to do. She feels there’s nothing left to look forward to but a slow, painful decline and decides to off herself. The fallout of her announcement to her family steers the book through a journey of growth for all involved.

Etta is a delightfully eccentric character. Her son Vernon and daughter Dolly are complex and fully realized adults in their thirties. Dolly’s daughter Pearl is adorably precocious and Vernon’s wife Lizzy has perhaps the most satisfying character arc. The book brims with vivid details, lovely family memories, and so, so much heart. Anyone taken aback by the maudlin premise needs to see the story through to the end - they won’t be let down!

[Virna Sologaistoa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really sweet, heart-warming and life affirming.
I could very much see and hear Dawn French in her writing, especially in Etta, the main character. While this was lovely to see, and in my case hear with the audiobook, it did also take me out of the book as all I could picture was Dawn herself. A bit of a double edged sword in that respect.

Having said that, the story is lovely and very funny at times. It made me think a lot about life and “enoughness” and made me wonder about how my own mother sees her own life being the same age Etta is.

It’s a little gem of a book and I definitely recommend it.

[Lynda Charsville · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven’t read any Dawn French books before but was curious after seeing her promoting it on various tv shows. I read this book very quickly .. but that was part of the problem I didn’t love this book.. I was waiting for something to develop. I feel that too much time was spent developing characters, setting the scene etc etc but the story didn’t really come to life until the last 25%. It’s one of those reads that’s very sentimental and gives you a warm glow at the end but it felt like hard work getting there. One of those reads I liked but didn’t love hence the four stars.

[Ms K Hoad-Hitchings · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm surprised by the positive reviews - is that just because it's by Dawn French? Personally, I thought it was awful. It just made me cross. The idea might have been interesting but the story just isn't believable. The main character is so selfish and self obsessed. We're supposed to believe that her children don't just scream at her and get her sectioned but stand around making pasties and it is faintly riduculous. And the ending is dreadful. Totallly unbelievable. I love Dawn French but this? Don't waste your time

[MRS SARAH · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a massive fan of Dawn French and loved her other books. She writes about the emotional side of life brilliantly and you feel you know and understand her characters completely. I loved Pearl - the total joy of a 5 year old captured perfectly. It’s only 4 stars from me though as I couldn’t get past my anger at the decision Etta had made and at only 68! That bit didn’t feel real or right. I do understand though and agree with the concept and essence of Enough.

[S. D. Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as an audiobook. It was read by Dawn French. The main character sounds very like how I imagine Dawn is. It is a story about love and family, about childhood and motherhood and about life and death. It is light hearted despite these weighty themes and does not stint on being funny.
I enjoyed this book - even though I found the characters rather caricaturish, which is something that I usually find distracting.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, although it was hard to get through. She has a way of writing that makes everything seem sensible and plausible from each of the characters' points of view.
She also has a way of bringing levity to the darkest of subjects that is entertaining and never trite.
I will definitely be giving her other books a go!

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful book. Sad and even harrowing at times, but ultimately heartwarming and life-affirming. I’m so pleased I chose the audiobook, as hearing it read by Dawn French brought an extra layer of humour, warmth, and authenticity to the story. Her narration perfectly captured the emotional highs and lows, making it an especially enjoyable listen.

[Karen Keane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A serious subject about a woman who is determined to end her life because she wants to die as a reasonably healthy older person and not suffer the pain and illnesses of old age, it her family think differently. It was quite a touching novel and I could hear and see Dawn French in the character of Etta.

[Hannah Stringer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn’t really understand or relate to Etta and I feel that there will be lots of people that feel like this. I definitely empathised with the children!! Brilliantly narrated by Dawn French on audio but I have to give it 3 stars because it just didn’t make a lot of sense to me.

[Jane Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whilst it will bring you to tears at numerous points this is a book I am glad I had read.It helped me understand people’s choices to end their lives .Dawb still includes humour which helps the reader read on x

[Ellen Shergold · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to enjoy this, I like Dawn French and was please to see the audiobook was narrated by her too. But man was the style of the writing/narration annoying! Kept going as I wanted to see how it ended, and enjoyed the second half, but the first half was a struggle.

[R Smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at pg 145
I just can’t

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this, very uplifting and warm.

[Sue Burton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moving, funny and a memorable read

[Lucy Hudson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read. Quite a sensitive topic. Some humour thrown in too.