What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Good Life
John Esmonde · Series · 1975
If you loved The Good Life, start with The Good Life (Robert Waldinger, Marc Schulz, 2023) — a book from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Good Life across media.
If you loved The Good Life, you will enjoy these stories that explore the tension between societal expectations and individual fulfillment.
Start with the source
Books on the same thread
The Nice and the Good
Iris Murdoch · Book · 1978
Explores: Moral ambiguity, Upper-class malaise, The corruption of innocence.
Like the social friction found in The Good Life, this novel exposes the hidden cracks within the elite class, contrasting public respectability with the darker realities of human behavior.
The Good Earth
Pearl S. Buck · Book · 2004
Explores: Poverty, Land Ownership, Social Mobility.
If the self-sufficiency of The Good Life resonated with you, this family saga offers a profound look at the connection between land ownership and the struggle for personal survival.
The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby
Charles Dickens · Book · 1982
Explores: Good vs Evil, Poverty and Social Injustice, Family Loyalty.
Just as The Good Life pits humble characters against the pressures of their environment, this story highlights the moral conflict of maintaining one's integrity against cold, exploitative social forces.
Watership Down
Richard Adams · Book · 1972
Shares a thread with The Good Life: Environmentalism.
Much like the determined trio in The Good Life, these rabbits prioritize their autonomy and community, facing the challenges of establishing a new life outside the established order.
Films on the same thread
La Dolce Vita
Film · 1960
Explores: Decadence, Alienation, Celebrity Culture.
Those who enjoyed the class commentary in The Good Life will appreciate this satire, which captures the alienation of a protagonist caught between elite circles and authentic domestic life.
It's a Wonderful Life
Film · 1946
Explores: Sacrifice, Community, Financial Hardship.
Similar to the community dynamics in The Good Life, this film centers on a man whose commitment to his town and principles defies the greed of his wealthy neighbors.
Barry Lyndon
Film · 1975
Explores: Social Climbing, Class Mobility, Fatalism.
The social climbing depicted here provides a sharper, more cynical mirror to the class dynamics that Margo and Jerry Leadbetter uphold in the suburban world of The Good Life.
Being There
Hal Ashby · Film · 1979
Explores: Naivete, Fish Out of Water, Media Influence.
If the fish-out-of-water premise of The Good Life appealed to you, this satire delivers a similar sense of displacement as a simple man navigates the complexities of high society.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Archers
Podcast
Explores: family life, community, farming.
Fans of the rural, community-focused lifestyle in The Good Life will find a familiar rhythm in this long-running series, which explores the intricacies of relationships within a close-knit setting.
This American Life
This American Life · Podcast · 2026
Explores: The human condition, Personal narrative, Social observation.
Much like the observational humor of The Good Life, this podcast captures the absurdity and humanity of everyday life through personal narratives that ground grand themes in intimate detail.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Good Life also known by another name in the United States?
Yes, the 1975 television series The Good Life was titled Good Neighbors when it was broadcast in the United States. The show focuses on Tom and Barbara Good attempting to live a self-sufficient lifestyle in Surbiton while dealing with the reactions of their neighbors, Margo and Jerry Leadbetter.
Who created the original television series The Good Life?
The television series The Good Life was created by John Esmonde. The show first aired in 1975 and depicts the comedic struggles of a couple attempting to escape the rat race by becoming self-sufficient in their suburban home while their neighbors observe their lifestyle changes with frustration and envy.
Are there books related to The Good Life?
Yes, there are books titled The Good Life, including a 2023 release. These works share the title of the original 1975 television series created by John Esmonde, which chronicles the journey of Tom and Barbara Good as they pursue a self-sufficient lifestyle in Surbiton despite their neighbors' concerns.
What is the premise of the television show The Good Life?
The Good Life follows Tom and Barbara Good as they decide to escape the rat race to pursue a self-sufficient lifestyle. Much of the show's conflict arises from how their neighbors, Margo and Jerry Leadbetter, react to this shift, ranging from deep concern and frustration to occasional feelings of envy.