A 40-year-old hepatologist, Toby Fleischman, is renowned for saving patients every day, yet he struggles to rescue his own marriage to Rachel. Behind them lies a long, fractured family history spanning fifteen years, with fragments of happier times and two children who are growing up in the shadows of their split life.
Then comes a sudden shift. Relationships with ex-wives are redefined by a practical, child-centered routine, yet something extraordinary happens—Rachel seems to vanish. Before the alarm even rings, Toby may deviate from his plans for a trip or a late-night work surge, but this disappearance feels out of the ordinary for him. He tests the boundaries of singledom, dating with focus, scrolling dating apps for hours, and reconnecting with old colleagues from years past.
Yet the juggling act grows heavier. The balance of demanding work, active parenting, and a resurfacing personal life forces Toby to confront a troubling question: where is Rachel, and is she facing serious trouble?
Fleishman in Trouble marks the debut novel by journalist Teffi Brodesser-Akner, who began her literary career with a strong voice that quickly captured readers. Published in 2019, it became a bestseller across major outlets and magazines. The book’s success isn’t accidental; the story unfolds as a colorful, piercing examination of the bright, original, and painful voices in today’s megacities. It captures the anxiety and disillusionment welling up in people navigating modern urban life and relationships, while exposing the bitter disappointments that can accompany them.
The family saga centers on a choice many recognize: the moment when a long partnership collapses under the weight of time. It is a confession told through a Woody Allen-esque blend of humor and tragedy, where wit and sadness sit side by side. A candid monologue from the protagonist invites readers to reflect on a post-divorce world—an attempt to reclaim youthful energy, and a longing to be seen in new ways by others, especially by the women who once stood closest to him.
He looks back on the painful process of divorce, a literal and emotional halving that redefines life for everyone involved. Divorce turns Toby’s world upside down, mirroring a series that embraces atmosphere over novelty while still delivering sharp, intimate storytelling.
The novel’s voice is partly carried by Libby, one of Toby’s two close friends from their shared student days, who becomes a key narrator. Libby is a former journalist now balancing wifehood and motherhood. Her perspective offers a compassionate, sometimes envious, lens on the unfolding events, guiding readers through Toby’s days that drift from predictable to suffocatingly monotonous.
In the television adaptation, multiple off-screen voices weave through the narrative—Toby’s, Libby’s, and Rachel’s, who remains quietly resolute yet perceptive. The story uses a shifting point of view to reveal how each perspective shapes the larger truth, with Rachel’s voice occasionally breaking through to challenge the portrayal of events. The approach ensures that the women around Toby feel real and multifaceted rather than mere supporting figures.
Libby’s reflection—artfully stated in the book as a commentary on telling a woman’s story through a man’s perspective—emerges in the adaptation as a mechanism to reveal the nuanced, authentic experiences of the women who have shaped Toby’s life. Through the lens of Eisenberg’s character, the narrative gradually uncovers deeper, credible depictions of the women who influence the tale.
Fleishman in Trouble becomes a conversation about what it means to be healthy in a modern world. It blends sharp humor, pointed sarcasm, and existential longing as it portrays a person forced to reconstruct identity amid upheaval. The central question asks how one redefines intimacy with a partner, rekindles connections with old friends, and forges a path of understanding with children who carry the weight of change. Most importantly, it explores whether the heart can heal from heartbreak and move forward with honesty and hope.
Teffi Brodesser-Akner, who also oversees the project as showrunner, brings a deft touch to these themes. Her storytelling balances gravity with moments of levity, even when tears feel unavoidable, producing a narrative that feels honest and lived-in rather than merely dramatic.
Fleishman in Trouble unfolds as a gripping drama in which each episode functions like a therapy session. By the final credits, tension eases, and a sense of resilience settles in—an assurance that difficult times pass and life continues with unexpected grace.