What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedDickinson
Alena Smith · Series · 2019
If you loved Dickinson, start with Little Women (Greta Gerwig, 2019) — a film on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to Dickinson across media.
If you loved Dickinson, you crave stories that blend historical settings with a fiercely modern, rebellious, and unapologetically bold female voice.
Books on the same thread
Mary: A Fiction
Mary Wollstonecraft · Book · 2022
Explores: Female Identity, Societal Constraints, Individualism.
Just like Dickinson, this novel explores the friction between individual identity and rigid societal expectations, offering a literary precursor to Emily’s own defiant search for selfhood.
Great Expectations
Charles Dickens · Book · 2009
Shares a thread with Dickinson: Coming-of-Age Story.
If the coming-of-age journey in Dickinson resonated with you, you will appreciate this classic bildungsroman that captures the transformative, often turbulent process of finding one's place in society.
Fun Home
Alison Bechdel · Book · 2007
Explores: Father-Daughter Relationship, Sexual Identity, Family Secrets.
This graphic memoir mirrors the complex family dynamics and artistic self-discovery found in Dickinson, providing a raw and honest look at the struggle for authentic expression.
Emma
Jane Austen · Book · 1984
Explores: Matchmaking, Social Class, Self-Deception.
The sparkling wit and sharp social commentary in this novel echo the irreverent tone of Dickinson, proving that historical domestic life is ripe for subversion and humor.
Films on the same thread
Little Women
Greta Gerwig · Film · 2019
Shares a thread with Dickinson: Coming-of-Age Story.
Greta Gerwig’s vision of sisterhood and artistic ambition perfectly captures the same spirit of female empowerment and creative yearning that defines the protagonist of Dickinson.
Lady Bird
Greta Gerwig · Film · 2017
Shares a thread with Dickinson: Coming-of-Age Story.
The teenage rebellion and complicated mother-daughter tension depicted here will feel familiar to anyone who admired the way Dickinson portrays the messy path toward individual discovery.
Emma.
Film · 2020
Explores: Matchmaking, Social Class, Self-Discovery.
This adaptation captures the same vibrant, stylized energy as Dickinson, focusing on a strong-willed woman navigating the constraints of her era with both charm and personal growth.
The Personal History of David Copperfield
Film · 2019
Shares a thread with Dickinson: Period Comedy.
The inventive storytelling and focus on resilience in this film align with the imaginative, genre-bending approach that made Dickinson such a fresh take on historical biography.
Podcasts on the same thread
Call Her Daddy
Alex Cooper · Podcast · 2026
Shares a thread with Dickinson: female empowerment.
If the unapologetic honesty of Dickinson appealed to you, you will appreciate this podcast's bold commitment to female autonomy and its refusal to adhere to traditional social scripts.
Alan Chikin Chow
Podcast · 2023
Explores: Personal Growth, Self-Improvement, Inspiration.
The focus on personal growth and empowerment mirrors the underlying drive of Dickinson, where the protagonist constantly challenges herself to evolve beyond the limitations of her surrounding environment.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Dickinson a historical biopic about the poet Emily Dickinson?
Dickinson is a coming-of-age story centered on Emily Dickinson. While it features the poet as the central character, the series takes a creative approach to her life and her determination to become the world's greatest poet rather than serving as a traditional historical biopic.
What is the main premise of the show Dickinson?
The show Dickinson follows Emily Dickinson as she navigates her life as a daughter and a poet. The narrative focuses on her journey as a total rebel who is deeply determined to achieve her goal of becoming the world's greatest poet.
Who created the television series Dickinson?
The television series Dickinson was created by Alena Smith. It originally premiered in 2019 and explores the life of Emily Dickinson through a modern, coming-of-age lens, highlighting her struggles and ambitions as she pursues her career as a poet.
Does Dickinson focus on Emily Dickinson's life as a poet?
Yes, the primary focus of Dickinson is Emily Dickinson's life and her singular ambition to become the world's greatest poet. The series portrays her as a rebel and explores her development as a writer throughout this coming-of-age story.