'I have attempted to write as fearlessly as I can about getting older and facing the endgame'

Dawn French has written what’s being described as her ‘most ambitious’ novel yet.

Enough, to be published on May 21, is the fifth fictional book the comedian has written. It revolves around Etta who, like French, is 68 and living near the sea. She is described as ‘happy, healthy and an active participant in her world’, but one morning she gathers her family together to tell them: ‘Today is my last day alive.’ 

Publishers Penguin Michael Joseph say that ‘over the next 24 hours, Etta and her family are about to have the most surprising, affecting life-affirming day of all their lives’.

The comic – who also narrates the audiobook version – told trade website The Bookseller: ‘Through writing Etta, I have faced a fear. I have attempted to write as fearlessly as I can about getting older and facing the endgame, as we all must.

‘Is Etta selfish or selfless when she proposes the ultimate answer to aging? When I began this novel, I was uncertain of how it would end. I decided to let the characters persuade me one way or the other. I wanted end of life to affirm life, if you like.’

The publishers call the book French’s ‘most ambitious, darkly funny and deeply human novel yet’, while managing director Louise Moore predicted Enough will be one of the most talked-about novels of the year.

‘The fact that Dawn confronts this question with her signature wit, honesty and big-heartedness means readers of Enough will be laughing through the tears,’ she said.’

As well as her four novels, French wrote the two non-fiction titles Me. You: A Diary and The Twat Files.

Enough is available to order now from Amazon priced £17.99 in hardback – or from uk.bookshop.org, below, which supports independent bookstores.  

Published: 18 Feb 2026