What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedSomebody's Fool
Richard Russo · Book · 2023
If you loved Somebody's Fool, start with Nobody's Fool (Robert Benton, 1994) — a film on the same thread. Below: 1 film, 2 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Somebody's Fool across media.
If the charm of Somebody's Fool was its deep dive into the complex, messy heart of small-town life, these picks capture that same spirit.
Films on the same thread
Nobody's Fool
Robert Benton · Film · 1994
Shares 3 threads with Somebody's Fool: Small Town Life, Redemption, Second Chances.
Returning to the world of North Bath, you will appreciate how this film mirrors the grounded, working-class struggles and intricate family dynamics found in Somebody's Fool.
Series on the same thread
This Fool
Chris Estrada · Series · 2022
Shares a thread with Somebody's Fool: Family Relationships.
This series captures the same focus on community and complex family bonds that defines Somebody's Fool, offering a humorous perspective on navigating the expectations of working-class life.
Mare of Easttown
Brad Ingelsby · Series · 2021
Shares a thread with Somebody's Fool: Redemption.
The heavy emotional weight of family dysfunction and personal history in this series echoes the poignant, character-driven narrative depth that you enjoyed while reading Somebody's Fool.
Podcasts on the same thread
Small Town Murder
James Pietragallo, Jimmie Whisman · Podcast · 2026
Explores: provincial life, tragic irony, forensic breakdown.
Much like the setting of Somebody's Fool, this podcast peels back the layers of a specific town, revealing the tragic and ironic realities hidden within provincial life.
S-Town
Serial Productions · Podcast · 2024
Explores: small-town isolation, eccentricity, social decay.
This investigative journey into a unique local character mirrors the literary fascination with small-town isolation and social decay that anchors the narrative of Somebody's Fool.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Somebody's Fool the first book in the North Bath series?
No, Somebody's Fool is not the first book. It is the third installment set in North Bath, following the previous best sellers Nobody’s Fool and Everybody’s Fool. You should read those earlier titles to fully understand the characters and the community before starting this book.
Do I need to read the previous books before starting Somebody's Fool?
Yes, it is recommended to read the earlier books in the series first. Somebody's Fool returns to the specific characters and the upstate New York community established in Nobody’s Fool and Everybody’s Fool, so prior knowledge of these individuals is helpful for following the narrative.
Who is the author of Somebody's Fool?
Somebody's Fool was written by Richard Russo. He is a Pulitzer Prize-winning author known for his work on Empire Falls and his long-running series set in North Bath, which includes the preceding novels Nobody’s Fool and Everybody’s Fool.
What is the setting of Somebody's Fool?
The setting of Somebody's Fool is the town of North Bath in upstate New York. This location serves as the backdrop for the characters that appeared in the author's previous books, Nobody’s Fool and Everybody’s Fool, and is described as a working-class community.