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Dear Fatty

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Dear Fatty

By: Dawn French
Narrated by: Liza Tarbuck
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

A SUNDAY TIMES NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER

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 boundaries and challenge stereotypes. Here, she describes the journey that would eventually establish her as a perhaps unlikely, but nevertheless genuine, national treasure.

As part of the much loved duo French and Saunders, Dawn helped create a repertoire of brilliantly observed characters, impersonating everything from Madonna and Harry Potter to The Exorcist. Dawn's iconic role in the Vicar of Dibley showcased not only her talent but also her ability to take a controversial and topical issue and make it mainstream - and very funny.

From her early years as an RAF child and her flat-sharing antics with Jennifer Saunders, to her outspoken views on sizism and her marriage to Lenny Henry, Dear Fatty chronicles the extraordinary and hilarious rise of a complex, dynamic and unstoppable woman.

©2008 Dawn French (P)2008 Random House Audiobooks Entertainment & Celebrities Entertainment & Performing Arts Film & TV Women Celebrity Funny Feel-Good Heartfelt Inspiring Thought-Provoking Witty Comedy

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Critic reviews

"Something of a revelation. Because in among the the gags and photos of her bare bosom, there is intellectual rigour and real emotional intelligence ... heavens, she's a funny lady. I can't remember the last time a book made me laugh so much."(Sunday Telegraph)

"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)
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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.

A touching, honest, brilliant insight into a life

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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!!

Just another brilliant Dawn French book.

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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!!

Funny, insightful and very endearing

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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.

Easy listening

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I like Dawns honesty and open ness , it makes you see the true her , I have listened twice now

Interesting

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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

amazing lady

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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.

Surprising and enjoyable. A good read.

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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.

Dear fatty

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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.

Dear Fatty

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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.

Brilliant.

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