The Good Life

Helen Lederer reads John Esmonde & Bob Larbey’s novelisation of the adored BBC TV series following the fortunes of the Goods and the Leadbeaters.

As Tom Good turns forty he is bored with the drudgery of a nine-to-five job. Selling the idea of self-sufficiency to Barbara, his practical yet devoted wife, he sets about transforming not only their garden but also their whole way of life.

As they tear up the front lawn, build a generator and introduce pigs to The Avenue, the Goods’ antics fail to go unnoticed by their neighbours, Jerry and Margo. To the Leadbeaters’ consternation, Tom and Barbara’s ‘back to basics’ initiative threatens the peace and prosperity of their smart Surbiton enclave. It seems that, for both couples, the road to ‘the Good life’ is littered with ups and downs.

The Good Life ran on BBC TV from 1975 to 1978 and each episode has been shown around the world hundreds of times. Portrayed on screen by Richard Briers, Felicity Kendal, Paul Eddington and Penelope Keith, the warring neighbours’ hilarious and heartwarming repartee ensured TV comedy gold. This adaptation of episodes from the first series, published in paperback in 1976, is one of a new range of Classic TV Novelisations from BBC Audiobooks.

© 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd