What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe World's Wife
Carol Ann Duffy · Book · 2014
If you loved The World's Wife, start with The World According to Garp (George Roy Hill, 1982) — a film on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The World's Wife across media.
If you loved The World's Wife, you will appreciate these stories that dismantle historical and domestic power dynamics through a subversive, sharp-witted lens.
Films on the same thread
The World According to Garp
George Roy Hill · Film · 1982
Explores: Feminism, Family Dynamics, Loss and Grief.
Like the feminist reinterpretation found in The World's Wife, this film centers on the complex, often volatile influence of women over the men who assume they are in control.
Gone Girl
David Fincher · Film · 2014
Shares a thread with The World's Wife: Gender Roles.
The World's Wife uses dark wit to challenge male-dominated narratives; similarly, this thriller masterfully deconstructs the facade of a traditional marriage to expose the power of a woman's perspective.
The Wife
Björn Runge · Film · 2018
Explores: marital disillusionment, sacrificed ambition, gender roles in marriage.
Mirroring the subversion of power in The World's Wife, this drama examines the long-suffering spouse stepping out from behind her husband's shadow to reclaim her own narrative and intellectual legacy.
Adam's Rib
George Cukor · Film · 1949
Shares 2 threads with The World's Wife: Marriage, Gender Roles.
This screwball classic shares the humorous, biting critique of marriage found in The World's Wife, pitting a husband and wife against one another in a battle of gender roles.
Series on the same thread
The Great
Tony McNamara · Series · 2020
Explores: Political Intrigue, Gender Politics, Royal Court.
Fans of The World's Wife will recognize the same irreverent, satirical approach to history here, as a woman maneuvers through a royal court to subvert her husband's absolute authority.
The Crown
Peter Morgan · Series · 2016
Explores: British Monarchy, Political Intrigue, Royal Family Dynamics.
If The World's Wife hit, The Crown shares the thread.
The Good Wife
Michelle King · Series · 2009
Explores: Scandal, Redemption, Second Chance.
Just as The World's Wife focuses on the woman behind the famous man, this series follows a wife forced to redefine her identity after her husband's public scandal destroys his reputation.
Secret Diary of a Call Girl
Lucy Prebble · Series · 2007
Explores: Sex Work, Double Life, Female Protagonist.
This series captures the same witty, provocative spirit of The World's Wife, exploring the private reality of a woman who navigates societal expectations and gender roles on her own terms.
Podcasts on the same thread
A History of the World in 100 Objects
BBC Radio 4 · Podcast
Explores: human evolution, global interconnectedness, artifact significance.
If The World's Wife hit, A History of the World in 100 Objects shares the thread.
Sh**ged Married Annoyed
Chris & Rosie Ramsey · Podcast · 2026
Explores: domestic life, modern marriage, parenthood struggles.
If The World's Wife hit, Sh**ged Married Annoyed shares the thread.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The World's Wife a collection of poetry?
Yes, The World's Wife is a collection of poems written by Carol Ann Duffy. It functions as a feminist classic that provides a modern, witty perspective on traditional mythology and the lives of women behind famous historical or legendary men.
Who is the author of The World's Wife?
The World's Wife was written by Carol Ann Duffy. At the time of the 2014 publication, she held the position of Poet Laureate, and the collection is widely recognized for its characteristic wit and its focus on reimagining the stories of figures like Mrs Darwin and Frau Freud.
What is the central theme of The World's Wife?
The central theme of The World's Wife is a feminist re-examination of mythology and history. The collection shifts the focus from famous men to the women behind them, using wit to explore the perspectives of characters ranging from Mrs Darwin to Queen Kong.
Does The World's Wife focus on specific historical figures?
The World's Wife features a variety of characters, including figures like Mrs Darwin, Frau Freud, and Queen Kong. These poems provide a modern, feminist take on mythological and historical archetypes by highlighting the women who exist behind the famous men in their lives.