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  • Dear Fatty

  • By: Dawn French
  • Narrated by: Liza Tarbuck
  • Length: 6 hrs and 36 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (223 ratings)

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Dear Fatty cover art

Dear Fatty

By: Dawn French
Narrated by: Liza Tarbuck
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Publisher's Summary

Winner of Best Audiobook of the Year, 2009
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.

©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)

What listeners say about Dear Fatty

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it made me laugh, it made me sad, loved it!

listened to this book in record time! I really, really enjoyed the reality of her story and the format Dawn used. Thank you for sharing not only the really funny bits, but the very personal insights as well. highly reccomend!

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Like a chat with a friend.

Such wonderful shared tale from an actress whom I have admired for years - thank you. Recommended to any fan of Dawn French and to anyone who enjoys reminisces from an honest soul.

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Great work Dawn xx

Great funny and sad stories from Dawn You Sagacious
Wonder Woman.
I need more of you.

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absolutely loved it

I loved this book! It is incredibly funny and delightful. Liza Tarbuck did a wonderful job, I could listen to her all day. This book is filled with beautiful, honest, and somewhat familiar stories which I could easily relate to. Thanks Dawn for sharing this intimate part of your life with me.

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Dear Dawn

Thank you, you beautiful, funny, wise and truly special being . That was incredibly moving. But just what I needed.

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An Intimate Night In

I cannot deny that I am a little disappointed that this was not narrated by the fantastic, beautiful and all around amazing Dawn French but it would be remiss of me to refuse to accept the talent of Liza Tarbuck (if not Dawn then I do not know anyone who could have done it better).

You really get a sense of how Dawn French thinks and processes things along with feeling like you really get to know her past her talented character acting, wild physical transformations and hilarious comic relief. Dawn really has had a very lived life and now I feel I understand her as a human more than a celebrity.

Grab a glass of wine and get comfortable for a night in full of laughs, tears (happy & sad) though if you are like me grab-the-bottle and enjoy the wonderful narration and excellently written book that is "Dear Fatty".

An absolute gem.

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Loved it.

I enjoyed listening to your book Dawn. Thank you for letting us have a glimpse into your life.
Lisa's reading was clear and it was a pleasure listening to her. I forgot that it wasn't you (Dawn)not reading it. All the best in your new adventures both publicly and in your private life . x

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Bloody marvellous

Thrilling and sad listen. Insightful and endearing. What a woman, what a life, what a book!

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Great read!

Such a fabulous book to listen too. Tears, laughter and fantastic stories. If you love Dawn French you will love this book. Beautifully read by Lisa Tarbuck.

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Thoroughly enjoyable!!

Sometimes funny but it will make you cry too. Wonderful memiors of an amazing lady.

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