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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 Entertainment Heartfelt Witty Feel-Good Comedy

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)
All stars
Most relevant  
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!

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

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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.

Like a chat with a friend.

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

Great work Dawn xx

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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.

absolutely loved it

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

Dear Dawn

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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.

An Intimate Night In

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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

Loved it.

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

Bloody marvellous

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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.

Great read!

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Here in lies a roller-coaster of emotions from grief to laugh til tears run down ya legs. somewhat serious but still true to style many great laughs. this book inspired empathy and admiration sometimes in the same sentence. my 15 year old son also thoroughly enjoyed it. my favourite book for a long time.

Raw, open and in true Dawn style honest

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