Dawn French explains the cycles of “grief, forgiving and understanding” following her father’s suicide in her “difficult” new novel

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I found myself asking Dawn French – a comedian, actor, and writer beloved by many – if she had ever considered taking her own life. It wasn’t a question I anticipated asking, but given the situation, it felt necessary.

I’m writing about her new novel, ‘Enough.’ It features a woman, similar to the author, who is a dedicated wife and mother, lives in a place that strongly resembles Cornwall, and is 68 years old. The story centers around her decision to end her life.

What struck me most about this film is the raw honesty of its opening. We meet Etta, and right away, she makes a heartbreaking decision. She brings her family to her special place – a dune overlooking her home – not for a celebration, but to deliver the news that she’s leaving, that she simply can’t go on. It’s a devastatingly direct way to begin the story, and it immediately pulls you into her emotional state.

She isn’t tired of living, but feels she’s already lived a full and wonderful life. She doesn’t want her loved ones to witness the difficult final stages of aging, so she’s decided to end things on her own terms.

French, author of seven previous books, admits this latest one is a challenging topic – her most mature work yet. However, she’s written it with warmth, humor, and a lot of relatable moments for anyone who’s experienced family life – which is everyone, really. She explains it’s about finding meaning in the later stages of life, and explores themes of acceptance, understanding, and taking control – things she really wanted to understand for herself.

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The similarities between Etta and myself? I made Etta my age for a couple of reasons. Honestly, part of it was just easier – I already knew the historical context, the music, and the politics of that time without needing to research it. But more importantly, I felt 68 was too young for the big decision Etta makes. I wanted her family to be truly shocked, and an older age, maybe around 80, might have been seen as more understandable. Ultimately, this book explores the question of who really owns your life and your choices.

French has long grappled with a deeply personal and painful experience. She kept it private to protect her family, but shared that her father died by suicide when she was 18. She described the aftermath as a complex process of grief, forgiveness, and understanding – something that doesn’t happen quickly or easily. It felt like a devastating event had shattered her family, leaving them in intense and overwhelming sorrow.

Looking back, I was lost and overwhelmed when I went to college, just trying to manage and help my mom and brother. Over time, as I’ve matured, I’ve gained a better understanding of the challenges my father faced – things like mental health, depression, and the pressures of life. That understanding is what allowed me to forgive him. I haven’t directly written about this, and I’m not doing so now, but it’s been a constant undercurrent throughout the process of writing this book.

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Okay, let’s talk about “Enough.” Right off the bat, the book comes with a trigger warning, and the author admits that was a collaborative decision – both her idea and a nod to her understandably cautious publishers. She specifically requested not to release it around Christmas, which is when her other books usually hit shelves. Apparently, they could have sold a lot more copies during the holidays, but she felt the subject matter just didn’t fit that festive vibe. I applaud them for making that call – sometimes doing the right thing means prioritizing sensitivity over sales, and I think that’s brave.

Yes, my lawyers reviewed the document and asked me to take out some details. I had explained my process too thoroughly, and they were concerned others might copy it.

The website also features information about the Samaritans, which the author clearly admires. They describe friends who volunteer there, noting how rewarding – though demanding – the work is, and how it positively impacts the volunteers’ own well-being.

Perhaps French could personally answer the phones? She jokes she could be a comforting, national ‘auntie’ figure and would be perfect for the role. She wonders if people would even recognize her voice, but I remind her she’s a Bafta-winning actress and could easily use an accent. She immediately dismisses the idea, saying it would be terrible.

She mentioned her West Country accent as the only one she could attempt, but worried it might sound forced. She hasn’t personally called the Samaritans, but says she would without hesitation. This leads to a surprising question: is she considering following in Etta’s footsteps?

Absolutely not. I have great friends and a wonderful husband, and I feel very stable and secure. However, I’m not afraid to occasionally consider what it might be like to take a risk.

If you need to talk to someone, Samaritans are available 24/7, free of charge, on 116 123. You can also find your local branch details at www.samaritans.org.

Authors

Ed GrenbyAssociate Editor, TopMob

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2026-05-18 20:10