What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedNotes on Grief
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie · Book · 2021
If you loved Notes on Grief, start with Family Flowers Only by Grief Ireland — a podcast on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Notes on Grief across media.
If you connected with the raw, unfiltered honesty in Notes on Grief, you will appreciate these portraits of mourning.
Films on the same thread
Hamnet
Chloé Zhao · Film · 2025
Explores: Grief, Parental Loss, Creative Inspiration.
Like Notes on Grief, this film explores the intersection of parental loss and creative output, grounding grand historical narratives in the intimate, quiet reality of a grieving parent.
Nonnas
Stephen Chbosky · Film · 2025
Explores: Grief and Healing, Community, Generational Connection.
Just as Notes on Grief examines the rituals of mourning, this story finds healing in the specific, tangible ways we choose to honor those we have lost.
Manchester by the Sea
Kenneth Lonergan · Film · 2016
Explores: Grief, Loss, Trauma.
This film echoes the profound sense of displacement found in Notes on Grief, focusing on how the sudden loss of a family member irrevocably alters your internal landscape.
The Father
Film · 2020
Explores: Dementia, Memory loss, Aging.
This tragedy captures the same bewildering confusion described in Notes on Grief, illustrating the painful disconnect that occurs when your mind struggles to accept a changing reality.
Series on the same thread
After Life
Ricky Gervais · Series · 2019
Explores: Grief, Existentialism, Cynicism.
Much like the perspective shared in Notes on Grief, this series examines the impolite, messy side of bereavement where traditional social expectations fail to provide any comfort.
Fleabag
Phoebe Waller-Bridge · Series · 2016
Explores: grief, female protagonist, fourth wall breaks.
This series mirrors the emotional transparency of Notes on Grief, using biting wit to process the heavy, existential weight of loss while navigating a world that moves on.
Shrinking
Brett Goldstein · Series · 2023
Shares a thread with Notes on Grief: Emotional Honesty.
This show shares the commitment to radical, unfiltered honesty present in Notes on Grief, exploring how the pressure to perform normalcy complicates the private process of grieving.
Six Feet Under
Alan Ball · Series · 2001
Explores: Death and Grieving, Dysfunctional Family, Mortality.
Much like the themes in Notes on Grief, this series treats death not as a clinical event, but as a central, inescapable force that defines all family dynamics.
Podcasts on the same thread
Family Flowers Only by Grief Ireland
Podcast
Explores: grief, loss, mourning.
This podcast aligns with the mission of Notes on Grief to break the silence surrounding bereavement, offering a community space for the difficult conversations others avoid.
Grief to Growth
Podcast
Explores: grief, loss, resilience.
This project mirrors the deeply personal narrative style of Notes on Grief, focusing on the resilience required to rebuild a life after experiencing the universality of loss.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Notes on Grief a fictional novel?
No, Notes on Grief is not a work of fiction. It is a deeply personal, non-fiction account written by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie regarding the loss of her father and her experience processing that grief.
What is the primary theme explored in Notes on Grief?
Notes on Grief explores the raw, bewildering messiness of mourning. It examines how society often demands serenity during times of loss, while the author captures the authentic, impolite nature of grief that feels more like a desire to scream.
Who is the author of Notes on Grief?
Notes on Grief was written by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. She is a globally acclaimed, best-selling novelist known for her other works, including the essay We Should All Be Feminists.
When was Notes on Grief published?
Notes on Grief was published in 2021. It serves as a timely reflection on the universal experience of losing a parent and the complex emotions that accompany such a significant personal tragedy.