Book info

• Title Dear Fatty
• Author Dawn French
• Year 2008
• Genre Memoir

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.

Thoughts

The wonderful memoir from Dawn French that tells stories from her life in a vaguely chronological manner, in the form of letters to her nearest and dearest - and those she probably wishes were near and dear. It’s at times hilarious, at times moving, but at all times engaging, honest, warm and showing just how lovely Dawn must be to have as a friend.

She’s been through some tough times but I loved the positive messages littered throughout, about having confidence, about not reading bad reviews, about loving yourself no matter what your body size.

I really recommend reading if you’re a fan and perhaps even if you’re not. There’s some nice insights into life making The Vicar of Dibley, and what it’s like working with Jennifer Saunders, but plenty of real life talk too.

Rating: 4 / 5