Dear Fatty

By: Dawn French

Narrated by: Liza Tarbuck

Length: 6 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

©2008 Dawn French (P)2008 Random House Audiobooks

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)

Genuine

Dawn French is a lovely lady. I understand why she chose the narrator of the audible book...I forgot many times it wasn't Dawn herself speaking

Loved it

I've been a fan for a long time...love her personality and sense of humor. In this memoir Dawn is interesting, vulnerable, loving, and funny...I enjoyed every minute.

Engaging - couldn't stop listening

we see people on tv and only associate them with their characters. the bio was insightful, touching, and funny!

If you like Dawn French - You will love this book!

I love to read or listen to auto-biographies and biographies but usually prefer auto-bios (unless historical figures, of course, and I still like the biographer to use as much of the figures own writing, etc.). As a fan of Dawn French, British humor, Absoluteley Fabulous and the Vicar of Dibley - I suspected I would like this book but really knew nothing about Dawn French other than the TV shows (how she started, her family, her association with Jennifer Saunders, etc.) I learned all about those things and more. What made this particularly interesting is the format she wrote this in. Each chapter/section was a letter to various people - her deceased dad, her husband, daughter, friends, etc. She creatively used the letter to explain her relationships, thoughts, advice - you name it. It was so interesting - funny and sad in parts - touching and honest throughout. The only negative part (and it isn't really negative) is that she sometimes refers to stars, star scandals and other matters that are apparently well known in England (but not in USA - Well, she does live in England and this was undoubtedly primarily targeted for the Britich reader.) All that said, great listen. While she did not read it, the person who did read it sounded just like her. If you didn't know it was her - you'd swear it was. Just listening to her letter to her father in relation to his death (by suicide) is a lesson on forgiveness and love and worth the price of admission. Thanks for bringing this to us Audible.

Thank you, Dawn!!!

Dawn French covers many, many topics as she writes letters to friends, family and the dearly departed. Her correspondence to them creates a memoir that is vivid, funny and insightful. Wish she would have narrated, but understood why she didn't. Liza does a good job with it though. Highly recommended, especially if you are in need of some humor.

Entertaining, thoughtful & funny telling of the authors life.

Great narration- it's not Dawn, but someone who sounds very much like her.

Lovely bio for someone as tender and lovely as she is funny.

Interesting and sometimes mildly amusing

What made the experience of listening to Dear Fatty the most enjoyable?

The very endearing relationship between Dawn and her closest family and friends are so touching at times it reminds you of the true value of relationships

Have you listened to any of Liza Tarbuck’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have never heard Liza before and often had to remind myself that it was Dawn herself reading the book as her voice is so like Dawn's.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The very touching and personal moments between Dawn and her father did make me cry as it reminds me so much of my own relationship with my father - how very special.

DEAR FATTY - YOU ARE FABULOUS

This book is one of the best I've read/listened to in a while. Full of humor, emotion and wonderful insight, Dawn French has written her story with compassion and imagination. A great listen. Liza Tarbuck, you were phenomenal .

Funny but sad and poignant as well

What a great listen
Yes there are funny moments as you would expect but there are also some quite sad times as well
Thanks dawn for a glimpse into your life

Dear Fatty

Any additional comments?

What a fabulous book. It was such an easy listen and some wonderful stories.
I just saw her live doing her 30million minutes tour. A few changes since this book 8 years ago and now.
It was a great listen and I will listen to it again.
I love Dawn :)