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Dear Fatty
- Narrated by: Liza Tarbuck
- Length: 6 hrs and 36 mins
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Dear Fatty
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Summary
Shortlisted for the British Book Awards, Biography of the Year, 2009.
Dear Fatty is read by Liza Tarbuck at the request of the author. With an introduction from Dawn French.
With a sharp eye for comic detail and a wicked ear for the absurdities of life, Dawn French shows just how an RAF girl from the West Country with dreams of becoming a ballerina/bridesmaid/thief rose to become one of the best-loved comedy actresses of our time.
Here Dawn French invites us into her most personal relationships with, among others, her mum and dad, her husband, her daughter and her friend Jennifer.
Dawn reveals the people, experiences and obsessions that have influenced her and that helped shape her comedy creations - including dogs, grandmas, teenage angst, school, stealing and David Cassidy. She is as open about her fears and sorrows as she is about her delights and joys, and for the first time shares the experience of losing her beloved dad and later finding a tip-topmost chap in Lenny Henry.
From raging about class and celebrity to describing the highs and lows of motherhood and friendship, Dear Fatty reveals the surprising life behind the smile.
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Critic reviews
"A national treasure ... Loyal, self-deprecating and garrulous ¿ this is an original book, and will delight her fans and, indeed anyone with a sense of humour."( Mail on Sunday)
"Self-deprecating yet never self-pitying, irreverent yet never truly cynical, she comes across as a woman genuinely at ease with herself ... French is engaging company, and at her best she writes about heartbreak and elation with such grace that her book is impossible to dislike." ( Boston Standard)
What listeners say about Dear Fatty
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Steven
- 25-07-15
A touching, honest, brilliant insight into a life
I bought this book after listening to Jennifer Saunders autobiography and she mentions this book as giving a good description of their early years as a comedy duo. I was a little surprised that the author doesn't read it herself but some of the passages are just too tear inducingly painful to be said aloud by her and I quite understand. Liza Tarbuck does a wonderful narration, capturing the spirit of the book and the character of Dawn French. No easy feat to accomplish and she does it so effortlessly that you are drawn in completely. A big recommendation and thank you to all involved for giving us this superb book to enjoy.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Brenda Morris
- 22-07-21
Just another brilliant Dawn French book.
I love her what can I say. I totally lost myself in this book. From laughing to tears this book has it all for me. From the start I was captivated. I totally recommend this book. Well done Dawn!!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Sarah S
- 05-09-11
Funny, insightful and very endearing
This book not only made me laugh but it also brought tears to my eyes and warmed my heart. Liza Tarbuck is an excellent narrator who really brings Dawn's words to life, as if it was Dawn herself reading them. What an excellent book!!
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- lauren
- 06-07-15
Easy listening
Lisa is a great narrator and very dawn like which was great. The story was not what I expected until towards the end (last hour). initially a very personal story that I hadn't expected.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mrs. Elizabeth Way
- 05-06-15
Interesting
I like Dawns honesty and open ness , it makes you see the true her , I have listened twice now
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Allison
- 05-10-13
amazing lady
Where does Dear Fatty rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
this definitely one of the best biography audiobooks I have listened to,what a life what a lady
What does Liza Tarbuck bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?
she is very similar in personality in my opinion to Dawn French
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
got through it very quickly
Any additional comments?
deff one to listen to
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Lindsey
- 18-06-13
Surprising and enjoyable. A good read.
I read the comments about choice of narrator and have to agree; Dawn would have been a more comfortable sit as using a 3rd party removes you slightly from her story, however, I certainly understand why Ms French made the choice not to narrate (she explains herself in a foreword). I don't tend to read about 'celebrity' so much of Dawn's story was new to me and well written. Her style of writing in letters was again something of which I was wary; disliking Bridget Jones etc., however the 'letters' are so long that they are more like individual stories that make the whole.
If you enjoy this lady's comedy, give this a go. It's not laugh out loud funny, but it is warm, humorous and gives an insight into the woman behind the smile.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Susan Griffiths
- 23-12-12
Dear fatty
This is lovely and made me laugh and cry. It's not soppy it's like going to lunch with a friend and hearing about there life.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Mr. Christopher Paris
- 23-12-12
Dear Fatty
This was the third Dawn French book that I Iistened to, and I wondered if I might enjoy it less as Dawn was not reading it herself. I need not have worried as the book was wonderful and was not spoilt in the least by Lisa Tarbuck's rendition. Written in the form of letters, the whole thing came together very nicely, and was a great choice for reading or listening, depending on your preference.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- lynda
- 14-09-14
Brilliant.
If you could sum up Dear Fatty in three words, what would they be?
Honest Funny and Interesting
What other book might you compare Dear Fatty to, and why?
Not sure
What about Liza Tarbuck’s performance did you like?
The voice helped me to visualise Dawn French and really bring the book to life. She has a very good speaking voice.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Lots as it took me back to things that happened in my own life. I particularly loved the bit where she is in a taxi I think and saw the drunk guy who she felt might be in danger.
Any additional comments?
I feel I know this lady much more now. It is an amazing book and I didn't want it to finish.
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