What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedColette
Wash Westmoreland · Film · 2018
If you loved Colette, start with Gentleman Jack (Sally Wainwright, 2019) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Colette across media.
If Colette captivated you, explore these stories of women forging their own identities against the rigid constraints of their era.
Books on the same thread
The Paris Wife: A Novel
Paula McLain · Book · 2011
Explores: Paris in the 1920s, Ernest Hemingway, Marriage.
Just as Colette navigated the complexities of a literary marriage, you will find a similar exploration of ambition and betrayal within the creative partnership of Hemingway and Hadley.
The Awakening
Kate Chopin · Book · 1899
Explores: Female desire, Marital dissatisfaction, Social constraints.
Like the protagonist of Colette, Edna Pontellier undergoes a profound process of female self-actualization, challenging the social expectations that threaten to stifle her personal and artistic desires.
The Color Purple
Alice Walker · Book · 2011
Explores: female resilience, intergenerational trauma, sisterhood.
Much like the resilience Colette displays while carving out her own voice, this narrative centers on female strength, survival, and the difficult journey toward reclaiming one's identity and autonomy.
The Woman in White
Wilkie Collins · Book · 2005
Explores: Mistaken Identity, Asylum, Conspiracy.
If the atmosphere of Colette drew you in, you will appreciate this Victorian tale that echoes the sense of secrecy and the struggle for agency against restrictive social structures.
Series on the same thread
Gentleman Jack
Sally Wainwright · Series · 2019
Explores: Female Empowerment, Social Class, Industrial Revolution.
Fans of Colette will recognize the spirit of a woman defying societal norms, as Anne Lister asserts her independence and reclaims her legacy in this bold period drama.
Call the Midwife
Heidi Thomas · Series · 2012
Explores: Women's Issues, Community, Social Issues.
The focus on women navigating their professional lives and social roles in Colette finds a parallel here, as these midwives manage their own challenges within a restrictive society.
The Gilded Age
Julian Fellowes · Series · 2022
Explores: Social Class, New Money vs. Old Money, American Dream.
The period setting of Colette is mirrored in this look at women’s ambition, showcasing how individuals fight for their place in a world governed by rigid class expectations.
Anne with an E
Moira Walley-Beckett · Series · 2017
Explores: Orphanhood, Found Family, Female Empowerment.
If you admired the way Colette fought for her place in the world, you will connect with this story of an outsider seeking acceptance and self-definition.
Podcasts on the same thread
Call Her Daddy
Alex Cooper · Podcast · 2026
Explores: female empowerment, sexual autonomy, brutal honesty.
The brutal honesty and focus on female autonomy found in Colette are echoed in this modern conversation, which centers on the unapologetic pursuit of one's own desires.
The History Chicks : A Women's History Podcast
The History Chicks | AIRWAVE · Podcast · 2026
For those fascinated by the life of Colette, this podcast provides an essential deep dive into the histories of remarkable women who, like her, defied their limitations.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Colette based on a true story?
Colette is a 2018 film directed by Wash Westmoreland that depicts the life of Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette. The story follows her move to Paris after marrying the writer Willy and explores her experiences ghostwriting his successful Claudine novels.
What is the plot of the movie Colette?
Colette tells the story of a woman transplanted from rural France to the artistic world of Paris. After her husband Willy convinces her to ghostwrite for him, she pens a semi-autobiographical novel about a character named Claudine that becomes a bestseller.
Who is the main character in Colette?
The main character in Colette is Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette. She is a woman who moves to Paris and begins ghostwriting for her husband, Willy, eventually creating the brazen character Claudine, which leads to a massive cultural sensation.
How does Colette become a writer in the film?
In the film Colette, the protagonist begins her writing career after her husband, a Parisian writer named Willy, convinces her to ghostwrite for him. She subsequently pens a semi-autobiographical novel featuring a character named Claudine, which sparks a significant cultural sensation.