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Dear Fatty
by
Dawn French
One of the greatest comedy actresses of our time,Dawn French hasa career that has spanned nearly three decades, encompassing a vast and brilliant array of characters. Loved for her irreverant humor, she has achieved massive success whilepushing boundaries and challenging stereotypes. In this memoir in the form of letters to people in her life, she describesher journey.Begi...more
Paperback, 366 pages
Published
October 9th 2008
by Random House UK
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3 days before Christmas found me standing in Smiths, with zero inspiration, looking at the bestsellers shelves - and wondering why the hell I would I want to read any of them. Katy Price, Jonathan Ross, Chris Evans...celebrity "auto" biographies... blah, blah blah. Then in post Christmas desperation I picked up Dear Fatty from the shelves at home...and half way through I was still wondering why I was bothering. Now, I like Dawn French, I love F&S, and the Vicar of Dibley, she is very, very t...more
Jan 04, 2009
Kirsty (Blatant Biblioholic)
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
biography-memoir
I love watching Dawn French on TV and so I naturally had to have her book when it was released.
The book takes the less-used form of a collection of letters written to various people in her life. Through the letters she communicates her most prominent memories of experiences in her life.
Dawn definitely has a way with words. The writing flows well and it's made all the better by the fact that she's written it herself instead of having a ghost writer do it for her. The letters she writes manage to...more
The book takes the less-used form of a collection of letters written to various people in her life. Through the letters she communicates her most prominent memories of experiences in her life.
Dawn definitely has a way with words. The writing flows well and it's made all the better by the fact that she's written it herself instead of having a ghost writer do it for her. The letters she writes manage to...more
Poor Dawn, her denial and utter lack of self-awareness really jumps off the page. Boring, unfunny, and sad.
Dawn French is the awesome star of *The Vicar of Dibley*, which I've long wanted to re-create as a series set in the Southeast about a female Baptist preacher ("Women can't be Baptist preachers!" "They can in MY show...") The Vic is my favorite Brit-com. You can see a lot of other great French vignettes, as well as French and Saunders, on YouTube.
*Dear Fatty* (which sounds, and is, much more loving in a British accent than in pejorative Americanese) tells French's story thus far through a series...more
*Dear Fatty* (which sounds, and is, much more loving in a British accent than in pejorative Americanese) tells French's story thus far through a series...more
I've recently started to listen to audiobooks in the car on my short commute to work. And I'm really enjoying them. This was my second one. I was initially disappointed that Dawn wasn't reading it herself, but she does a short section at the beginning saying she felt some of it too personal and difficult to have attempted to read herself. Ok, fair enough. She enlisted a friend, Liza Tarbuck, to do the reading, and she does a great job. Liza sounds quite a bit like Dawn actually. The book is writ...more
This autobiography is very slight. In the first half Dawn reminisces about her grandmothers, her brother, her school friends. I was bored to pieces. Later it picks up as Dawn almost marries, and then loses a loved one. Toward the end we get a bit of her early friendship with Jennifer Saunders and their time in The Comic Strip. A bit of Lenny Henry and issues surrounding race in Britain. She says a lot of nice things to her husband but they were probably seriously talking about divorce when she t...more
Dawn French (one half of the British comedy duo, French and Saunders) may be one of the funniest women alive today. The other funniest woman alive today is Jennifer Saunders, the other half of French and Saunders. For those not familiar with either, they have had a successful run at BBC with their variety show, French and Saunders; Dawn French may be best known for her role in The Vicar of Dibley; Jennifer Saunders is probably best know for her role as Edina in Absolutely Fabulous; both have als...more
This is an autobiography of sorts from Dawn French, but told in a unique style of letters to important people in her life. The majority of the letters are addressed to her Dad, who died when she was just 19.
It's an interesting format that gives us vivid little vignettes of particular moments in Dawn's life but leaves whole chunks uncharted. Because she is writing the letters to the people she has addressed them to rather than the person reading the book there's almost a feeling of eavesdropping...more
It's an interesting format that gives us vivid little vignettes of particular moments in Dawn's life but leaves whole chunks uncharted. Because she is writing the letters to the people she has addressed them to rather than the person reading the book there's almost a feeling of eavesdropping...more
Jan 03, 2010
Adele McVay
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Any Dawn French fans
I really enjoyed this book. Dawn writes her autobiography in the form of letters to friends and family, live and deceased. She shares memories, gives thanks, they are witty and heartbreaking in places. It isn't a side splittingly funny book, but it's not supposed to be. I was amazed at how much she's been through and how she's managed to channel her experiences in such a positive way - she's an inspiration. I've always been a huge fan of French and Saunders, especially their movie parodies, thei...more
Aug 19, 2009
Jules
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
fans of UK comedy and general autobiography.
Recommended to Jules by:
the bookshelves in Tesco!
I enjoyed reading this book and, as autobiographies go, found that in the end I had gained in my knowledge about the witty and rather gregarious lady that is Dawn French. I liked the style of writing in the book, however edited, and French does go into some detail about various aspects and stages of her life. Moments of the book are laugh out loud funny but moreover the book is sensitive and nostalgic about subjects such as childhood, school, friends, (and especially) family, etc. You do get the...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Having just recently read Dawn French's first foray into fiction, A Tiny Bit Marvellous I picked up this memoir by the comedienne when it caught my eye at the library despite usually avoiding celebrity biographies.
Dear Fatty is presented as a series of letters ostensibly directed at the significant people in Dawn French's life including her father who committed suicide when she was nineteen, her best friend and comedy partner "Fatty" also known as Jennifer Saunders, and her (now ex) husband Lenn...more
Dear Fatty is presented as a series of letters ostensibly directed at the significant people in Dawn French's life including her father who committed suicide when she was nineteen, her best friend and comedy partner "Fatty" also known as Jennifer Saunders, and her (now ex) husband Lenn...more
I found this book very interesting, and had been looking forward to the possibilty of "Moo" writing her biography for a long time as she has such character!
At first I found the format of this book daunting but then as I read on I found the effect of letter writing worked very well and was very touching specifically the letters that were written to her father (the last letter specifically got me).
I loved how she told the stories of different stages of her life such as meeting the Queen Mother an...more
At first I found the format of this book daunting but then as I read on I found the effect of letter writing worked very well and was very touching specifically the letters that were written to her father (the last letter specifically got me).
I loved how she told the stories of different stages of her life such as meeting the Queen Mother an...more
Jul 24, 2010
Sam
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Dawn French fans
Recommended to Sam by:
borrowed it from my mum
I seem to be drawn to biographies and travel memoirs to read on my daily commute. My theory is that they’re easy to pick up and put down and there’s no gripping scenes that will have you miss your stop.
Dear Fatty was good, but I always knew when it was my stop.
Dawn French has written her autobiography as a series of letters to various people (in case you didn’t know, ‘Fatty’ is Jennifer Saunders of Absolutely Fabulous fame). It’s not strictly linear, jumping back and forth between episodes in ch...more
Dear Fatty was good, but I always knew when it was my stop.
Dawn French has written her autobiography as a series of letters to various people (in case you didn’t know, ‘Fatty’ is Jennifer Saunders of Absolutely Fabulous fame). It’s not strictly linear, jumping back and forth between episodes in ch...more
As most people will realize, this is not my usual type of book. Indeed I dont think I have ever read an autobiography before - ever! However I do find Dawn French very funny and I saw her on TV talking about her book and the title was eye-catching (actually refers to Jennifer Saunders not Dawn!)
Did I enjoy it? Ok in parts. Quite an eye-opener for people to talk publicly about very private and intimate times in their lives. Her father's suicide when she was 19 was very momentous in her life but I...more
Did I enjoy it? Ok in parts. Quite an eye-opener for people to talk publicly about very private and intimate times in their lives. Her father's suicide when she was 19 was very momentous in her life but I...more
Thanks to my lovely friend Cynthia, I am reading lots of funny lady autobiographies.
NOt entirely satisfying as an autobiography, but a satisfying read. Written as letters to various folks in her life ranging from celebrity crushes (really, her letter from her teen self to David Cassidy is PURE GOLD!) to family and friends, this breeze through French's life needs many more chapters and stories told. French does an excellent job of balancing moods; one minute you are laughing your arse off at the...more
NOt entirely satisfying as an autobiography, but a satisfying read. Written as letters to various folks in her life ranging from celebrity crushes (really, her letter from her teen self to David Cassidy is PURE GOLD!) to family and friends, this breeze through French's life needs many more chapters and stories told. French does an excellent job of balancing moods; one minute you are laughing your arse off at the...more
Dawn French is a hilarious actress and comedian. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed her in French and Saunders, The Vicar of Dibley, Jam and Jerusalem and Larkrise to Candleford. I was thrilled to get my hands on a copy of her autobiography/memoir, Dear Fatty.
The style is different in that she writes a series of letters to different people in her life from her father, who passed away when she was only 19, to her best friend Jennifer Saunders (Fatty) to Madonna and the Monkeys. Some of the letters are utte...more
The style is different in that she writes a series of letters to different people in her life from her father, who passed away when she was only 19, to her best friend Jennifer Saunders (Fatty) to Madonna and the Monkeys. Some of the letters are utte...more
I've been wanting to read Dawn's autobiography/memoirs for quite some time, having been a fan of hers for as long as I can remember - and I wish I'd read it sooner. The book takes a rather unusual form of a collection of letters written to various people in her life. Through the letters she communicates her most prominent memories of experiences in her life - from the day she found out she was getting to adopt her daughter, Billie, to first kisses (and all of the kisses from there. Her kiss list...more
I will usually read an autobiography and find it unsurprisingly narcissistic, but given that I enjoy Dawn French's humour I decided that I should give Dear Fatty a try as it had been recommended to me. Reading the book felt like looking in on a series of private letters, which is most likely the intention, but it's a refreshing twist on your usual chronological 'I did this, and look at what I did when I was 7, isn't that cute?' type of thing.
Given that she is a fairly private person, a person wh...more
Given that she is a fairly private person, a person wh...more
I could definitely read more celeb memoirs like this. Dawn French is so down-to-earth/funny/unpretentious that this was a total joy to read. The book is made up of letters to the people she loves, detailing her exploits with (or without) them and there's such tenderness and warmth in these pages. It's also such a nod to everyone who has supported her and guided her and helped her to find her way. Actually, I think that's the thing I like about this book best--she gives credit where credit is due...more
Candid, sweet and funny. There was a lot I didn't know about Dawn French, and she approached her life story in a series of anecdotes in the form of letters to the people in her life. It was touching to read, and really wonderful and uplifting.
I really admire that she can talk about her traumas and lost loves and heartbreaks so honestly, about mistakes made and joys had, just presenting her real life as a real person with so few barriers. Her letters are real, and uncensored, and made me laugh.
I...more
I really admire that she can talk about her traumas and lost loves and heartbreaks so honestly, about mistakes made and joys had, just presenting her real life as a real person with so few barriers. Her letters are real, and uncensored, and made me laugh.
I...more
My lovely Aunt lent me her copy of “Dear Fatty” by Dawn French. It is an autobiography written in the form of letters to her friends and family (and Madonna.) She is a funny lady and I was expecting a funny read. I was ready to laugh out loud and giggle as I read about Dawn French’s life.
We assume so much about people. We think that strong people are never weak, popular people are never lonely and funny people are never sad. So it came as a shock to read about Dawn’s experience of tragedy.
She...more
We assume so much about people. We think that strong people are never weak, popular people are never lonely and funny people are never sad. So it came as a shock to read about Dawn’s experience of tragedy.
She...more
I loved this from start to finish - a series of letters from Dawn to herself and to family and friends that really give you an insight in to her passions and history.
Terribly funny throughout and massively touching in places, this really makes you feel like you are part of Dawn's inner circle of friends. This is also a book that I regularly showed to others and read extracts from to friends.
A firm favourite and one of the best formats of auto-biography that I have come across, this not only tell...more
Terribly funny throughout and massively touching in places, this really makes you feel like you are part of Dawn's inner circle of friends. This is also a book that I regularly showed to others and read extracts from to friends.
A firm favourite and one of the best formats of auto-biography that I have come across, this not only tell...more
May 07, 2012
Amy *Waitforit*
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
comedy fans, autobiography fans
Shelves:
autobiography,
humour
I have been a huge fan of Dawn French for as long as I can remember and when this book was announced I waited with baited breath for a look into the great woman herself. I wasn't disappointed, the format of the book is written in letters to her nearest and dearest which makes it a more intimate account of her life. The book is filled with her famous wit and self-deprecating humour as well as true feeling and emotion surrounding some of the more difficult moments of her life. This is an honest ac...more
I have trouble with autobiographies, before reading Dawn French's I had only ever read one other autobiography which was Frank Skinners. I can now add another one to my list I successfully read and really enjoyed this book.
I found that I really enjoyed the style the autobiography was written in. Using letters was a fantastic touch because you felt like you were a part of the fantastic army of family and friends Dawn has.
I loved the humorous stories about her youth especially the bridesmaid story...more
I found that I really enjoyed the style the autobiography was written in. Using letters was a fantastic touch because you felt like you were a part of the fantastic army of family and friends Dawn has.
I loved the humorous stories about her youth especially the bridesmaid story...more
This was a refreshing book by a celebrity. Instead of focusing on the bad points in life and particularly stating how many things have gone wrong in life and how they turned life round for the better, this book is mainly focused on all the good people in Dawn's life and what a cheerful person she is. It does have some sad parts but even those are riddled with laughter.
It was perhaps not as hilarious as I had anticipated but it certainly had me giggling in parts. The way it is written certainly c...more
It was perhaps not as hilarious as I had anticipated but it certainly had me giggling in parts. The way it is written certainly c...more
Really good book, very funny. Liked the idea of the letters compiled to make the story. Different approach. Had a tear in my eye during some of the 'Dear Dad' letters, and the 'Dear Scotty' letter. Laughed like crazy at some of the 'Dear Fatty' letters, and some of the other ones.
I think F&S should carry on doing their double act, but maybe as only comic relief sketches, and/or Christmas 'take the piss out of movies' sketches, as these were always hilarious.
I missed out on seeing them live...more
I think F&S should carry on doing their double act, but maybe as only comic relief sketches, and/or Christmas 'take the piss out of movies' sketches, as these were always hilarious.
I missed out on seeing them live...more
A good Autobiography read well by Liza Tarbuck. The book is written in the style of a number of letters she writes to friends to describe parts of her life. I found this a strange way to put the book together, but once you get into the flow of it it's is not to bad, but I would have preferred the traditional timeline style autobiography.
Like most comedians you get to see the behind the scenes world that isn't just showbiz and glamour and there are plenty of hard times and heartbreaks that she h...more
Like most comedians you get to see the behind the scenes world that isn't just showbiz and glamour and there are plenty of hard times and heartbreaks that she h...more
Certainly not what I was expecting, but I enjoyed it very much. I think the format was very interesting and helped the book along instead of hindering it. Some letters where dearly heartfelt (the ones to her mom, daughter, and especially her dad), some where just plain silly (all the ones to Madonna and all but one written to "Fatty" Saunders), and the rest fell somewhere in the middle. They all had that little spark of hilarity that is Dawn French and the ones to her closest friends and family...more
I was really looking forward to listening to this book,but I met my first disappointment about 1 minute in. Alas, Dawn does not narrate her own book. The lady who does, whose name escapes me,does do an admirable job of capturing Dawns voice Buford not quite the same thing, however, I do understand why Dawn could not face narrating the book, there are some painful memories revealed. This is not an autobiography, nor even a memoir, but a collection of letters to various people reliving memories fr...more
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Dawn Roma French is a British actress, writer and comedian. In her career spanning three decades, she has been nominated for six BAFTA Awards and also won a Fellowship BAFTA along with her best friend Jennifer Saunders. She is best-known for starring in and writing her comedy sketch show, French and Saunders, alongside her comedy partner Jennifer Saunders, and for playing the lead role of Geraldin...more
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“My theory was that if I behaved like a confident, cheerful person, eventually I would buy it myself, and become that. I always had traces of strength somewhere inside me, it wasn't fake, it was just a way of summoning my courage to the fore and not letting any creeping self-doubt hinder my adventures. This method worked then, and it works now. I tell myself that I am the sort of person who can open a one-woman play in the West End, so I do. I am the sort of person who has several companies, so I do. I am the sort of person WHO WRITES A BOOK! So I do. It's the process of having faith in the self you don't quite know you are yet, if you see what I mean. Believing that you will find the strength, the means somehow, and trusting in that, although your legs are like jelly. You can still walk on them and you will find the bones as you walk. Yes, that's it. The further I walk, the stronger I become. So unlike the real lived life, where the further you walk, the more your hips hurt.”
—
27 people liked it
“That’s the key, you know, confidence. I know for a fact that if you genuinely like your body, so can others. It doesn’t really matter if it’s short, tall, fat or thin, it just matters that you can find some things to like about it. Even if that means having a good laugh at the bits of it that wobble independently, occasionally, that’s all right. It might take you a while to believe me on this one, lots of people don’t because they seem to suffer from self-hatred that precludes them from imagining that a big woman could ever love herself because they don’t. But I do. I know what I’ve got is a bit strange and difficult to love but those are the very aspects that I love the most! It’s a bit like people. I’ve never been particularly attracted to the uniform of conventional beauty. I’m always a bit suspicious of people who feel compelled to conform. I personally like the adventure of difference. And what’s beauty, anyway?”
—
5 people liked it
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