Dear Fatty
How to Buy!
Get this for
£7.99
By Dawn French
Narrated By Liza Tarbuck
Regular Price:
Special Offer Price: £7.99 (Learn More)
Length: Length: 6 hours and 40 min.
Customer Rating:
Audiobook 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 Published: 06/11/2008, Random House AudioBooks Customers who bought this also bought… £10.29 £7.99 £11.89 £7.99 £10.29 £7.99 £9.59 £7.99 Critics 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) Customer Reviews 27 Visitors' Rating: I was at first a touch disappointed that Dawn was not reading this herself however, having now heard it I understand why she said that it would be difficult for her to read without 'getting a bit tearful'. Lisa Tarbuck does an excellent job - so no problems there. The book is very open and appears honest with lots of insights to Dawn's family, friends and past influences. Her letters to her late Father moved n]me to tears as they reminded me of the things that I should have liked to have said to my Dad when he was alive. It tugs at every emotion yet remains light and amusing - a good listen, I was sad when it finished I felt I was losing touch with a friend. Christine, Basingstoke, United Kingdom 02/12/2008 10/10 registered users found this helpful | Register I really enjoyed this. No violence (but some sexy bits) and it just made me laugh. A relaxing and entertaining read. Penny, France 20/11/2008 8/8 registered users found this helpful | Register A great audiobook alround. Anyone who feels they are missing out with missing Dawn French's own voice should be satisfied with Lisa Tarbuck's reading. Honest, heart-felt and compassionate all the way through - a real insight to her life so far. I am not an avid fan but enjoyed this greatly. Would happily recommend to anyone who don't mind laughing out loud or feeling the odd lump to the throat. Be warned - this book is very capable of doing both! David, Cleckheaton, United Kingdom 19/12/2008 6/6 registered users found this helpful | Register Read more customer reviews Liza tarbuck does a brilliant job of reading this book - in fact I dread to think how dull this book would be if someone else had read it. The book has an unusual style in that it is written as letters to various people in Dawn French's life - this probably works very well in the written form but I quickly became irritated by hearing 'Dear...' again and again. I'll admitt to skipping chunks of this book (something I rarely do) because I was bored but this made things harder as the book is not chronological so I missed out on some stories. This is not a bad book but it is quite tedious in places and I'm at a loss to find the parts that have other listeners laughing out loud. Anabella, Worksop, United Kingdom 20/02/2009 1/1 registered users found this helpful | Register The opening paragraph contains a confession that Dawn has never written or read a book; I nearly fell over. Then I listened some more, and yes, I can believe Dawn has never read a book. Clearly honest and heartfelt writing, but, if ever a writer needed an ghost she is is one. You will have to be a staunch French fan to sit through this without drifting off, or wondering why you are listening to the diary of a 14 year old. Dawn I really think you are great, but this book is a dud; get a new editor and agent. bluedun, London, United Kingdom 08/01/2009 1/1 registered users found this helpful | Register Maybe I should have read the reviews and comments.. or even the cover notes more thoroughly on this before I purchased. Maybe it was 'as advertised' but it wasn't what I expected.I find Dawn French to be a very funny woman and I expected this to come through in her book, unfortunately it didn't. It was rather serious in parts and there was far too much about Lenny and what a wonderful husband he is. Very disappointing read for those who have preconceptions or expectations about the content. I assume that for those who might be better informed, it's a good read. Sharon, Birmingham, United Kingdom 05/01/2009 Loved this. Was disappointed Dawn French didnt read it herself but she does do an introduction which explainms why and Liza Tarbuck does a fantastic job. This is a lovely chronicle of Dawn's life written in a series of letters to various friends, family and colleagues. Very funny in places, quite sad in others but generally surprising throughout - would recommend it. Good to dip in and out of on a commute. sgoard, Morden, United Kingdom 04/05/2009 I downloaded this audiobook on a whim. The title grabbed me - and I half expected it to be a book about 'coming to terms' with weight issues. Not a bit of it! This is a candid, interesting and brave book, written in the form of letters, mostly to her father. It's full of insight and very interesting. At times it made me cry, and I'm not surprised that Dawn French was unable to read it herself. I thoroughly recommend it. Joanna, United Kingdom 25/01/2009 I always liked dawn french as a person and now that i listened to her book i can relate even more to her. Lovely how she talks about her dad, I lost mine ten years ago and feel just the same like her. She is so human, down to earth person. I really liked the book and the way she talks about her husband and child. Private without leaving the listener wondering. Good luck dawn. gcassar60, Heusden-zolder, Belgium 18/02/2009 this turned out to be a kind of tribute to the ex husband if i wanted to read about lenny Henry I would have bought a book about him Sorry really like Dawn french but the book was lousy Lisa, United Kingdom 11/05/2009 I love Dawn French and expected to be aching with laughter after reading this book. But, although parts are very funny, I was surprised to find that it was very moving and honest. I expected her to read it herself, but, on hearing it, completely understood the reason she declined, and, asked Liza Tarbuck to take her place.And a wonderful job she does! I applaud Dawn for feeling able to discuss very personal matters and share them with us.The essence of the book will stay with me for a long time. I recommend it to everybody who cares about their friends and family. Maggie, Daventry, United Kingdom 21/02/2009 I started listening to this book a couple of days agoa and I'm hooked. Even although it's not Dawn French reading it, Lisa obviously knows her very well and has a similar sense of humour and I sometimes forget that it's not Dawn's voice I'm listening to. I'd recommend this to everyone - a breath of fresh air and a very honest-sounding account of Dawn's life's experiences. Thank you Dawn! May, United Kingdom 30/12/2008 Sorry Dawn, I love you as a comedian but this book bored me to death. There wasnt 1 laugh in it and if I hear 'tip top' one more time I will scream. I just expected more. Martin, bunclody, Ireland 29/08/2009 A book to make you giggle, LOL and cry. It does go on a bit in some places, but an excellent listen. My only negative thoughts on this book were that I wished Dawn had narrated it herself. puddlescat, Stockport, United Kingdom 22/05/2009 Dear Fatty is a wonderful book skilfully read by Lisa Tarbuck. Well worth a listen too. Vicky, United Kingdom 09/07/2009 I enjoyed listening to this book. It was a candid look at Dawn French's life through the eyes of Dawn French. Liza Tarbuck does a wonderful job of narrating Dawn's story. Some funny bits and some sad bits, just like life I suppose. definately worth purchasing though naivewatermelon, GRANGEMOUTH, United Kingdom 03/04/2009 This book was brilliant, the first book I've listened to in 1 go. This was a real insight into the wonderful Dawn French (somewhat revealing!) Ben, United Kingdom 03/08/2009 I am still only in the first chapter but would recommend this audiobook very much. Liza Tarbuck does a fantastic job of reading this, many audiobooks have narators with annoying voices or who for some reason don't captivate the listner but not this one. It is so funny that I had to switch over to my music when listening to it on the bus as I was laughing so much that I started to get some funny looks. Claire, Lincoln, United Kingdom 01/01/2009 Still haven't got through this turgid volume. Excellent reading by Lisa Tarbuck but I'm finding it a chore to listen to all too often because it's just not interesting. stanlei, Knaresborough, United Kingdom 23/02/2009
Audiobook Keywords: Biographies, Memoirs, Celebrities
Tags: Memoirs Biographies Celebrities