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Dear Fatty

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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 Body Positivity Entertainment & Celebrities Entertainment & Performing Arts Film & TV Women Celebrity Funny Entertainment Feel-Good Heartfelt Inspiring Thought-Provoking Witty 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
This was my first ever audio book and what a corker! I found her 'letters' extremely endearing, often funny, sometimes sad, yet sentimental. I was really surprised at the 'realness' of Dawn's recollections. There was no sugar-coating and wasn't a hint of exaggeration for comedic effect. The stories were just genuinely engrossing to listen to. Such beautiful story-telling. I've much respect for Dawn French having listened to this. What a woman :)

A lucky first audio book!

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Really enjoyed this book; written as a series of letters to people she loves. It’s a great listen. As others have said, I was initially nervous of the book being read by someone other than Dawn; what I love most about audio biographies is the person themselves reading it. However, in this case Lisa Tarbuck does such an amazing job that I forgot it wasn’t Dawn and was picturing Dawn speaking. So much so that even as I write this, I can’t believe it wasn’t Dawn actually reading it! Thank you Lisa for the fabulous performance and thank you Dawn for giving a us a sad and joyous insight into your life

Love Dawn, love Lisa

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Wonderful book and will be kept and listened to often, Thankyou again for the best start to my working day x

Thankyou Dawn French

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Brilliantly narrated by Liza Turbuck. Very much enjoyed listening to this. Excellent book which made me want to buy more of Dawn’s books.

Absolutely loved Dear Fatty

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Funny, emotional & hhonest. A wonderful reminder of the past. A reminder too of the devastation of losing a loved one & how to keep in touch with them. A wonderful love story through good & bad times.

Fantastic read

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