Dear Fatty

by Dawn French

Book Overview

A SUNDAY TIMES NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER
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The hilarious and heartwarming memoir from one of Britain's best-loved comedians and Women's Prize longlisted author, Dawn French.

Dawn French is one of the greatest comedians of our time with a career that has spanned nearly four decades. Loved for her irreverent humour, Dawn has achieved massive mainstream success while continuing to push...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 009951947X
• ISBN13: 9780099519478
• Release Date: May 2010
• Publisher: Arrow
• Length: 374 Pages
• Weight: 0.72 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.0" x 7.7"

Customer Reviews

Dear Madonna (the singer, not the mother of Jesus),

I think it unfortunate that you have not made Dawn French your bestest friend in the whole world. Or at least the world that is Britain. She's funny and smart. Not the best writer (as one poor review states), but who cares? I applaud her efforts and her decision to make the book a series of letters written to family members, adolescent crushes, former lovers, and famous persons. Including you, Madonna (not of the virgin birth). You'd laugh, maybe. I did. While the book has it's serious moments, it frequently gave me cases of the church-giggles. You know... the ones you get at those inopportune times that you can't control, no matter how hard you try. You hold your breath until you almost pas out, but the giggles persist. Sometimes to the degree you end up choking on your spit and coughing uncontrollably. If you don't care to include Dawn in the close circle of friends you already have or watch all of her television appearances, at least read the book. You may develop a newfound respect for a person you know you want to meet. And maybe have as a backup dancer on your next tour.

Dear Fatty by Dawn French

Great read. The book is written as if the reader is peeking into Ms. French's personal diary. In it, she is writing letters to those individuals who have had the biggest impact on her life. Each individual, in their own way, for better or worse, have made Ms. French into the wonderful, funny, and loving person she is today. Those individuals include, first and foremost, her dad, who took his own life when Ms. French was 19 years old, her husband and daughter, a former love and fiance, and two of her best friends; one of which is the fabulous comedy genius, Jennifer Saunders. This book is very funny in most places, poignant, enlightening, and sweet in others, especially when she is speaking to her husband and daughter but most importantly, when she is speaking to her dad, who Ms. French remembers as a very loving, wonderful, caring human being. This book is very therapeutic for those who have had similar thoughts, fears and experiences expressed by Ms. French and have wondered and/or asked the same questions about losing a loved one to suicide. Whether you are a fan of French and Saunders, Dawn French alone, or none of the above, you will enjoy this book. For those who love and admire Dawn French, your admiration will be one hundred times greater than before. I can attest to that. This book is so worth your time and money. Enjoy!

Wonderful biography

Wondrously written, and such a wonderful and extraordinary life. An insight into one of my favourite comedienne's life, and one that fills you with laughter throughout, as well as having some very moving moments. Dawn French is simply wonderful.

Dear Dawn . . . Thank You

I don't normally enjoy memoirs or anything written like pages from a diary. DEAR FATTY by Dawn French is the exception to that rule. A gifted and talented performer, I have been a fan of Ms. French since I first saw her in a French & Saunders sketch. There, she was a dynamo who broke the limits and fractured (if not bent) every rule. It seemed to me that her comedy was too much to be contained, at least for one, central character. WRONG! Her series: GIRLS ON TOP and THE VICAR OF DILBY proved me wrong. She is not only funny but one of those rare performers who can handle any type of comedy - whether it be broad or frace. Then I saw her in JAM AND JERUSALEM (or whatever we called it here in America) and I was taken aback by the multi-dimensional character she created. Dawn French's talents are limitless. Because of all the attraction Absolutely Fabulous received, I was always irked that the character of Patsy wasn't given to Ms. French (In her book, she notes that she was about to become a mother at the time and quite happy not to go that route). In her series of entries in DEAR FATTY (who, by the way, is Jennifer Saunders) she writes to various important people in her life including: her father/ her brother/ her child/ old boyfriends/ her best friends/ Peter Tork of the Monkees. Funny, touching and down-to-earth, it is a must read for any Dawn French fan. No, you won't walk away from the book shocked at the behind-the-scenes gossip or fascinated by the volume of lovers she entertained. But you will read a real story about a very real person. With no pretenses and with unflinching honesty, Dawn French shares with you her life. And for that, we should all be thankful.

Dawn's Awesome Memoir

If you love the comedy of The Vicar of Dibley and French & Saunders, you'll really enjoy this book. Written in the form of letters to various people she has (and has not) met, Dawn is by turns funny, insightful, and serious, always truthful and discrete about everything and everyone but herself -- where she is quite willing to share some raucously funny anecdotes. By turns amusing and touching, the story of Dawn's life is very well written and organized, with plenty of interesting glossy photos along the way. Oh, and jokes. There are lots of jokes about a life that is not always funny. Whose is? Very well done. Easy, fun and meaningful to read. Highly recommended to those who applaud Ms. French's work, humor, intelligence and love. Her story is personal with a universal appeal grounded in humble realism.