Dear Fatty

by Dawn French

Dawn French is one of the greatest comedy actresses of our time, with a career spanning nearly three decades and encompassing a vast and brilliant array of characters that would eventually establish her as a national treasure.

She first appeared on the British entertainment scene as part of the groundbreaking alternative comedy group, the Comic Strip, which marked a radical departure from the more traditional comedy acts of the time. Later came the all-female Girls on Top with Jennifer Saunders, Ruby Wax and Tracy Ullman. Then, as part of the wildly successful duo, French and Saunders, Dawn helped create a repertoire of brilliantly observed recurring characters parodying popular culture and impersonating everything from Madonna and Harry Potter to The Exorcist. Dawn's more recent role in The Vicar of Dibley again has showcased not only her talent but also her ability to take a controversial issue and make it mainstream and funny. From her early years as an RAF child to her flat-sharing antics with Jennifer Saunders, from her outspoken views on sizeism to her marriage to Lenny Henry, Dear Fatty will chronicle the fascinating and hilarious rise of a complex, dynamic and unstoppable woman.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Autobiography, Memoir, Humor, Biography Memoir, Audiobook

368 pages, Hardcover

First published October 9, 2008

About the author

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 Geraldine Granger in the sitcom The Vicar of Dibley.

Reviews

[Danni Borde · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm sorry to see so many reviewers putting down this book. I agree its not storyline that will solve world hunger or cure cancer but that wasn't its intention in the first place. It was just a work of creative insight into the comedy and tragedy of one of the leading artists of our time. Its an easy pick up and put down book written as if one was chatting with a good mate. I thought it was a great summer read. Cheers to the laughter and the love of Ms. French.

[Petra X · Rating 2 out of 5]

Celebrity is about as far from what you see is what you get. It's what you see is photo-shopped, spin-doctored, tailored, sanitized sound bites and images that highly paid publicists have manufactured around the original person.

Celebrity memoirs often betray the fact that behind the image of the perfectly-groomed and stunningly witty celebrity is a rather ordinary person who, outside of what they are famous for, never did anything much that anyone else would be thrilled to pay money for and read. Much like you and me.

Except that Dawn isn't like you and me, she's much more popular, much more talented and much, much nicer. She is actually the nicest person on the planet or the fakest. There is no one in the book, except one of her grandmas who is a character, who gets even a small amount of criticism. Her other grandmother is a saint and endless pages are devoted to telling us just how and repeatedly thanking her. We get the same for her (ex) husband but expanded later in the book. The only downer for her is that her father committed suicide. But still, she can thank him endlessly for all his support and just being him etc.

All her fellow actors, all her family, friends and everyone she meets is too, too wonderful, talented and loves her very much and needs to be thanked for every little thing they are. So much appreciation. So much gratitude. So little celebrity gossip or scurrilous insider information!

I must say I wondered if it was to make up for being so hugely obese? You know bigger personality and such a nice one. Don't say I'm down on fatties, I've been there and given up the cake. It's not about looks is it, it's about personality.

Dawn was a great comedian, although I never warmed to her acting, the Vicar of Dibley didn't entertain me. I preferred her as half of French & Saunders and I preferred Jennifer Saunders memoir as well, Bonkers: My Life in Laughs. To me, Dawn can be very funny, but Jennifer with her series, Ab Fab and portrayal of Edina was definitely the senior partner in that relationship. And her husband, Lenny, now ex, also a comedian but a strong Shakespearan actor too, outstripped her professionally. You don't really hear of any that in detail though. It's not all about her.

But, thank you for writing this memoir Dawn. Thank you for including all the little bits of your life that you felt people would want to know. Thank you for thanking everyone for everything they did for you and for just, well you know, being themselves and loving you.

One and a half stars and that's being generous. Say thank you.





This was written when I was reading the book, you can ignore it. I wonder what made Dawn French think that she should write her autobiography, or memoir as she prefers it? She makes much of not wanting to be a celebrity in the early part of her book, but then what other reason did she have for writing it?

So far, a quarter of the way in, this book is about the mundane details of a lower middle class upbringing with a an excessively sweet and overlong paean of praise to her saint of a grandmother...

I hope it improves.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, laugh out loud funny as you'd imagine it to be. There is something unique about Dawn which really comes across in her book.

Five stars.

[Alex · Rating 1 out of 5]

3 days before Christmas found me standing in Smiths, with zero inspiration, looking at the bestsellers shelves - and wondering why the hell I would 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 talented, and very, very funny - but does that mean that her life might be of interest to me just because she’s famous? I mean it probably wouldn’t be if she wasn’t famous would it? Viz the opening of one chapter "I loved Lincoln" - yes well I'm sure you did Dawn, great place, but why is that worthy of my reading time? I expect lots of people love Lincoln.

What I am questioning here is the premise that text has an intrinsic worth if it is framed in the context of a celeb life – parts of Dawn’s life are indeed interesting, some are tragic, but none is momentous in any wider sense – well, not yet, anyway. Now, in case this sounds overly crabby, I have read “Rich: the Life of Richard Burton” by Melvyn Bragg twice, and will probably go for a third read because it is a stupendous biog of a stupendous life. Plus it has the advantage of time – it was written at a decent interval after the death of the subject, which gives us time to reflect on a life hard-lived, time to put that life into context, and assess the contribution, the impact, the significance.
Come on guys – your lives aren’t even half over and you’re boring us rigid already – leave the autobiogs until there is something to say ....oh, unless this is all really just about the money....

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 be funny (naturally) and heart-wrenching all at the same time. The letters to her Dad are particularly touching, as he committed suicide when she was 19 and left her with so many unanswered questions.

I like the fact that she's been pretty honest throughout the book, whilst managing to keep the private things private. She writes to her husband - Lenny Henry - but doesn't really go into lots of intimate details. I respect her more for this - there are too many autobiographies now that feel the need to reveal Everything.

I loved this book, and I also really enjoyed looking through the (many) photographs that accompany the letters. Dawn has led a pretty interesting life, and after reading her book I like her even more.

[Alexa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good one if you love Dawn French, or like emotional but funny memoirs from those who have suffered deep loss. The arc of French losing her father rather brutally as a kid was poignant and beautiful. A fun and light walk through her career up until the point of publication (around 2008), so obviously ends pre-divorce from Lenny Henry which is in it's own way rather surreal!

The letters conceit stretches thin once or twice, but when it hits, it really hits. But overall this one's for very specific British comedy/Dawn French fan's for sure.

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've ever watched the Vicar of Dibley and had a warm, fuzzy feeling, this is the book for you. I usually steer well clear of autobiographies but enjoyed this immensely (apart from the bizarre letters to Madonna). Dawn's warm personality and touching bonds with family shine through on every page. One chapter in particular is heart-wrenching and worth the read, I think, for anyone who has suffered the pain of the suicide of a loved one, as I have. All the questions, bewilderment and frustration are laid very bare indeed. This is one of those rare things - an autobiography I would read again.

[Sophie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this, I suppose I was sucked in by the title 'Dear Fatty' and assumed it was going to be more about her experience as a plus size woman in the public eye but sadly not. Fatty is actually her nickname for Jennifer Saunders and the whole book is laid out as a series of letters to various people. I really disliked this format because the friends/family are never properly introduced so I spent their entire letter trying to work out who they are, and there are also some addressed to celebrities, most of whom I'm too young to know (I'm 26 and have no idea who David Cassidy is, sorry Dawn). The letters to Madonna were the worst because they were written in a bizarre accent and couldn't figure out why - maybe I missed the joke there but I ended up just skipping them all.

She introduces the book by saying that she considers it to be memoirs rather than an autobiography as she doesn't want to bore us with every little detail, but sadly it ended up as exactly that. A large percentage of the book is stories about random girls she went to school with, boys she snogged, how much she loves Lincoln etc. - it's very dull, and the monotony drowns out the parts of the book that are genuinely touching, such as when she's talking about her dad's suicide, or her and Lenny Henry's struggles with racism.

It felt like she didn't want to write about herself at all as all of the letters feature large rambles about how wonderful various other people are and thanking them, which is nice, but I wanted to know more about Dawn (as an adult) and I didn't get that from this. Some other important life events, such as her struggles with IVF are very glossed over. I think you would enjoy it if you're a massive fan of Dawn French and are familiar with her other works, but I found it hard to get through.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wouldn't consider myself a devout French follower - the extent of my familiarity comes from watching the occasional episode of The Vicar of Dibley with my parents growing up (which I did find hilarious). However, this memoir was funny and sincere. She's obviously had an interesting life - I mean being a comedian isn't your typical day job - but the parts I enjoyed most were when she talked about her relationships with the important people in her life. Great read.

[G.J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*. I enjoyed this book written in the form of letters to various family and friends, starting from childhood to more recent times. Some parts were very well written, emotional and thought provoking. Sadly a few chapters were in my opinion poor, the letters to Madonna read like gibberish and added nothing at all to the story. I did not find a lot of humour in the book but I did find it interesting.

[Sarah (is clearing her shelves) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for the 2016 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge (although I read it in 2017) prompt 'An Autobiography'

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dawn French's - 'Dear Fatty' her 2008 memoirs/letters 'not an autobiography'.

Whilst I'm a big fan of French as a comedian, she's very likeable, funny and well loved in general - this I'm afraid is ultimately just another celebrity autobiography, which is definitely overlong and would have benefited from some judicious editing.

The book takes the form of imaginary letters to family, friends, colleagues, stars... namely Madonna - a device which is partially successful, and may have helped French address certain issues...and it's also an easy way to contort/ revise reality.

There are joke letter sections throughout, to - Dear Fatty a reference to her nickname for erstwhile longtime comedy partner Jennifer Saunders.

The Comic Strip early years section is very interesting and the letters to her late father Denys are definitely the most touching portions of the book.

In terms of French's personal history, this book obviously only goes so far - being as it is, pre split from husband Lenny Henry as well as the deaths of both Rik Mayall andher mother Felicity.

So overall, a nice, likeable, amusing and entertaining read, which tells us very little that we didn't know about Dawn French.

[Jason Koivu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first autobiography I've read that was written in the epistolary style. In some ways it's engaging, and certainly entertaining, but it can also be distancing, keeping the topics at bay somewhat. The emotions of the moments described are all there, but at one remove.

I love French & Saunders and The Vicar of Dibley. Every time and everywhere Dawn arises, I perk up! So, I was quite looking forward to reading this and it was great! I really enjoyed the insights into her life. I was hoping for more talk about her career, but unfortunately, using the imaginary letter style of writing restricted her somewhat to addressing topics to the person she was supposedly writing to. Going into tangential details only vaguely related to the addressee would have been odd, but I did long to learn more about various subjects that were never touched upon. I do love the woman, perhaps too much. I'll just have to be satisfied with this, and I am.

[Martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

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 turned this in to the publishers. A brief mention of The Vicar of Dibley. I’m a huge fan of Dawn French and wanted to know what makes her tick, who were her comedic influences, what was her creative process with Jennifer. Did she have any professional disappointments? She has long been a spokesperson for large women, did both a Southbank Show and a book of flashy sweater knitting patterns on the subject, but says nothing political on the matter. This autobiography treats its subject as if she were just an ordinary woman and goes about telling completely banal stories that could have happened to almost anyone. Much of the problem is in the telling. Any story can be interesting if well told. But overall I want to hear about events that are outside an average person’s experience. I want to know more about her comedy which has touched myself and my close relationships so deeply. I think that her generation of female comedians had a rough time in their early careers and learned not to talk about themselves, wishing the work to speak for itself. I would love to hear her thoughts about the state of comedy today. It is strange that she was reluctant to speak about her career yet was able to speak with a (for me, uncomfortable) amount of vulnerability about her formative years. This book will leave me scratching my head until I have forgotten it completely, which should be sometime next week.

[Jules · Rating 3 out of 5]

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 picture that 'people' are the moving force and inspiration to French's life rather than the money, power and fame thing, etc. a la Jordan et Pete. This is refreshing considering the way UK celeb culture constantly inflates and defaltes itself as of late. French is definitely more genuine and whole a character. There are moments in the book that bug me, for example, when French 'over'jokes in specific chapters just for the gag factor. Unfunny French. Just stick to the autobio please and tell us about YOU - save the 'specific' jokes for the stage/telly if you please! In other parts of the book, French seems especially guarded like she really struggles with aspects of her fame. This is something that I, and I'm sure other readers, will continue to find contradictory. Surely one walks into fame aware of the pifalls of bittersweet life, rough with smooth, etc. Non? In all a satisfactory read though. Entertaining, different, well put together, informative and a reminder, if ever we needed one, that family does, must and should come first.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 written as a series of letters to family, and friends, and would be friends like the letter her teenage self writes to David Cassidy. There's great stuff here. Some very funny. Often intelligent and well observed. Some very poignant. We learn early on that Dawn's father is to die quite young, and the most poignant letters are often those Dawn has written to her now dead father. My only real complaint is that the audio version is abridged, and I missed out on an unknown amount of this fun book.

My review on my blog
http://astrongbeliefinwicker.blogspot...

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of this memoir is bittersweet, as a large chunk of it is written to her father whom she tragically lost when she was only 19. The bits in between are interesting though not necessarily funny. I only laughed out loud twice, which I thought was surprisingly seldom for such a funny gal. Oh well, like I said Dawn has had a pretty darn interesting life, full of people and I really admire her self-confidence and upbeat attitude.

Pros: Her voice really shines through the writing and the inclusion of so many personal photos was fab.

Cons: Terrifically grating letters to Madonna. I cringed every time they came up, when I should have just skipped them.

[Tania · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. I just didn't love it as much as I wanted to or expected I would. French really is a very funny woman. As someone who always loved French and Saunders, it was interesting to read how her career developed. There are some wonderful passages in the book. Some of it, though, was a bit long and even a tad boring. I also can't say I really understand the author more now than I did prior to reading the book. With the exception of a few letters, it all felt a bit on the shallow side, and that does not work for me with a book like this one.

Overall, I'll re-read parts of this book again. I just don't see it finding a permanent home on my bookshelf.

[Deborah Jelinek-Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concentrating on memories that she finds important and vivid Dawn French uses the unusual technique of telling her life story in letters to assorted correspondents, living and dead. Endearingly, the first letter begins 'Dear You' and goes on to explain how she has decided to approach the writing of the book.

It is humorous where humour is called for but what makes the book so good, in my reading, is her ability to eloquently and appropriately convey the full range of emotion when dealing with the subjects of bereavement, love, infidelity infertility and celebrity.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dear Dawn French. I enjoyed my first exposure to your writing style in Dear Fatty. Note how witty I am by employing your technique for the start of each chapter. (For those that haven't read the book, each chapter starts Dear 'Someone' as you address your thoughts to a family member or dear friend) I was introduced to Dawn by my wife, who is from England. We have enjoyed so much of your humour and acting; French and Saunders, The Vicar of Dibbly, your acting in Lark Rise to Candleford, etc.
So I have been interested in reading this for quite awhile since I bought it for the missus back in 2008. I have to say that I've enjoyed this look at your life, the highs and lows. I found it especially interesting that you were a military brat like I was; my father was also in the Air Force, the Canadian Air Force, mind you. So I have an appreciation with that portion of your life; the moving around constantly, the trying to make and keep friends who you might only know for 2 or 3 years.
There were many touching and poignant moments in this book. I can't relate to it but I found those portions dealing with your father's internal struggles very touching. Your family dealt with it strongly and seems to have made the most of their lives, especially your mothers.
I particularly enjoyed hearing about your life in the Comic Strip and your development as a comic and actress. I wish there might have been more covered about that aspect of your life. All in all, it was an enjoyable read and I liked discussing with my wife, especially your references to pop culture in the UK. Thanks for the enjoyment. (3.5 stars)

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this book not knowing much about Dawn French apart from the odd comedy I had seen her in.
But from this collection of letter or epistolary style memoirs addressed, each sort of chapter or letter to family members or friends you learn a lot about the lady behind the comedy.
Very close to her family with a huge well of love for those close to her we hear of her childhood, growing up, teenage years, relationships, friendships, school, her work and early jobs right upto the more personal side of things.
The death of her father, fertility issues and other situations that she speaks frankly about.
This is a witty, candid account of those parts of her life she most cherishes and wants to relate to the readers.
So often I will pluck a bio, auto bio or memoir to read randomly of people I just don't know that much about and I really enjoy them and it gives you a glimpse into the lives behind the facade and public persona.
This was such a great read.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a fairly young fan, I'm one of those who became exposed to the brilliance of Dawn French through "The Vicar of Dibley." The life of a comedian may seem glamorous and, with the way Dawn wears it to the public eye, it certainly seems to be. As with most things, this is a slightly different story behind closed doors. One thing I admire most about her is her ability to move on from hardships in her life. Dawn has adopted the "Yes, it happened but I'm not going to waste my life dwelling on it" attitude. Her letters to her Dad and to Jennifer Saunders (aka Fatty) were my personal favourites, while I found the ones to Madonna a bit odd. It was a privilege to be a second-hand witness into the life of an amazing, strong woman.

[Shonica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that Dawn French was hilarious, amazing, wonderful, fabulous and a bunch of other lovely adjectives before I read this book. Now I love her more. It was quite funny but so much more. She talks about her life with such honesty, there were times when I thought, "This is really personal, I shouldn't be reading this."
If you are a fan of Dawn French you should read this. If you aren't a fan of Dawn French, there is something wrong with you. If you don't know who Dawn French is... Omg! Watch the Vicar of Dibley for Christ's sake. Then read this book.

[Laureen Andrews Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dawn French's memoir is very thoughtful and a pleasure to read. Writing about herself through letters to loved ones past and present was very heartfelt, endearing, and effective .Handwritten letters are special today not because they are uncommon, but because the author is taking the time to think only of sharing personal thoughts and feelings soley with the recipient. A very heartfelt and enjoyable read.

[David Edmonds · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 also starred in shows too numerous to list here. And every single show that I have seen them in has been top notch.

Dear Fatty is Dawn French's memoir. Like anything that French does, her memoir is frequently laugh-out-loud funny. What surprised me most about her memoir is how unflinchingly honest she is throughout. She relates her life, both its ups and downs, as best she remembers it. Written in the form of letters to her friends and loved ones, Dear Fatty touches on the funny and the sad in French's life. For instance, one letter is to her father, who committed suicide when she was 19, and in one paragraph that goes on for almost two pages, she asks him questions. Why he did what he did; why didn't he ask for help; etc. By the end of this particular letter, I'm not ashamed to say that I had tears in my eyes. Her frustration of 30 years of unanswered questions is so evident, and she does nothing to hide that. Of course, not wanting to keep her readers in too serious a mood, she immediately segues into far more lighthearted material, but that honesty is there and it can be raw and emotional, and I respect her all the more for it.

I never doubted her ability to write; watch any of her sketches or shows, and it's obvious she has a talent, and she excels at proving that over and over again in her book. One of my favorite lines from the book is:
‎

"It's a process of having faith in the self you don't quite know you are yet... Believing that you will find the strength, the means somehow, and trusting in that..."

Words that speak volumes to me in my life right now.

I don't that many people would rush out to buy this book. First off, I'm not even sure it's available in the US yet, and secondly, I don't know that anyone who isn't a fan of Dawn French would really care all that much. But for those of us who are fans, this is a gem of a book, and even if you aren't a fan of Dawn French, I still think you'd find this a funny and revealing look into the life of one of the funniest ladies out there right now.

Highly recommended.

[Graceann · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this epistolary memoir, Dawn French writes to her loved ones in turn, sharing stories from her life and telling each person what they have meant to her. She also imparts sage advice for those following in her path.

These letters range from the sublime (every letter to her late father), to the hilarious (the letter to the families for whom she babysat during her college days) to the frankly silly and pointless (lame jokes in letter form to her comedy partner, Jennifer Saunders; pointless asides to Madonna).

Dawn lost her father when she was a young adult, and this loss reaches across the whole of her life. Denys French has cast a loving shadow over her loves, her work and her self-esteem. Every teenage girl should have the pep talk that Dawn's father gave to her - I know it would have meant the world to me to hear those words when I was in the heart of my most unsure years.

The most bittersweet section is the lengthy letter that Dawn writes to her then-husband, Lenny Henry. She states that the book could be titled "Love Letter to Len" and could be all about how marvelous he is, and that there's nothing the two of them cannot face together. This portion makes me terribly sad, because while there is obviously deep and abiding love there, we have learned in the years since this book came out that love wasn't enough. Dawn French and Lenny Henry divorced in 2010, after spending more than half of their lives together.

All in all, this is a rich, loving remembrance of a life well lived, though I wish she had skipped the silly jokes to Jennifer (jokes that my friends and I were telling to one another in grade school; unworthy of Dawn's talent). This is a small quibble - they are short sections in a book full of beautiful stories about Dawn and her "BF" buying baby supplies without the press getting the idea that they were for Dawn herself, and about how Dawn maintained her sense of humor as best she could during some very dark times. I'm so glad that, at least in writing, she's the person I hoped she would be.

[Shelleyrae at Book'd Out · Rating 3 out of 5]

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 Lenny Henry.
Dawn French is a funny woman and this memoir presents plenty of hilarious and awkward moments from her life but also shares some of the heartbreak she has experienced. It's more personal than I expected with her very successful career more a backdrop to her emotional, nostalgic journey through her memories and a tribute to those who have been a part of it.
I admit I was a little disappointed that her 13 years as The Vicar of Dibley is given fairly short shrift as I imagine that much hilarity ensued behind the scenes of that program and that is the character I know her best as. Still I enjoyed reading about how she build her career and partnership with Saunders.
Given the demise of her relationship with Lenny Henry after the book's publication the letters have some real poignancy when she address her husband.
There are significant gaps in this memoir which is in no way comprehensive but it is an endearing mix of frank honesty, self depreciating wit that nevertheless still carefully guards her privacy. Probably best suited for those who have a familiarity with Dawn French, Dear Fatty is an entertaining memoir that is sure to delight her fans.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

DEAR FATTY was a great read. Sadder than I thought it would be - quite heart-wrenching at times, even - but the comic relief is refreshingly present throughout.
The letter style is a good way to get into Dawn's psyche and see the way she communicates and deals with life's ups and downs. Although this rare format is probably contrived, I felt it let me get to know Dawn French better than the typical biography account of her life thus far.
The "Fatty" in question is her close friend and comedy collaborator Jennifer Saunders, and although French addresses many things to her, it is her beloved father (who died when she was just 19) who is at the metaphorical receiving end of many of Dawn's heart-felt scribblings. Her strong-willed, stoic mother features heavily also, providing many of the sad moments just as easily as she triggers some of the happier, funnier moments in the book through Dawn's funny family anecdotes.
Of course, with every celebrity biography there is a lot of delicious namedropping. Saunders (given), Edmondson, Mayall, Sayle, Planer, Richardson, Elton, Curtis, Henry and the list goes on...
Overall, DEAR FATTY is an honest, intimate look into Dawn French's life outside the fame and the larger than life characters she is known for playing on-screen... with a bit of her usual persona self for good measure!

[Adele · Rating 4 out of 5]

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, their Baby Jane and Mama Mia parodies really stick out in my mind and it was fab to find that Dawn auditioned for Mama Mia but was so rubbish at the singing she received a knock back via her agent before even leaving the building following the audition!

She has inspired me to carry on a little tradition I started 6 years ago. I started writing my boys letters, telling them what they were up to and telling them how much I loved them. I have a few gathered up in a drawer, still sealed for them to open when they are older, but somehow life took over and I've not written to them in a few years, thanks to Dawn it's something I'm going to start up again.

[Bev · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dawn French is such a delightful character, and most of her book is a delight. The pity is that there is just too much of it.

While for the most part the book is witty and entertaining - which of course a life cannot always be - there are times when the letters begin to ramble, to just simply bang on too much, or even to become a tad maudlin. When you are 50 or so pages from finishing a book and you just wish that it would hurry up and end, or get to the punchline, then you know the editor hasn't done his/her job properly and little bit of trimming would have been in order.

Who was that oh-so-clever French designer who said that when you think you are all ready to go out and present yourself to the world you should look in the mirror and then remove one thing, and only then are you truly ready? Whoever it was, I just wish Dawn French could have done that - just looked in the mirror and removed one thing.