soph_naughton's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
stitchandwitch's review against another edition
4.0
I thoroughly enjoy this little brain-mush break from the things I have been reading otherwise this summer. It was funny, inspiring and joyful.
sophs_mood_reading_room's review against another edition
3.0
starts of great, some very touching as well as funny, got slow towards the end, found it difficult to finish.
kchisholm's review against another edition
3.0
Read for f2f bookclub which meets soon, and it will be very interesting to see what the entire group makes of this.
Interesting format that means that whilst it might be a memoir, there's a lot that can be left unsaid, a lot that's glossed over or hinted at, and a lot that assumes the reader has some knowledge of Dawn French's life already.
Fair enough I thought - it must be a very uncomfortable thing to sit down and write about your life, especially some very personal and private moments. Particularly poignant to read the comments about now ex-husband Lenny Henry.
Came away from the book with a feeling of a woman who uses humour as both a job device and a coping mechanism.
Interesting format that means that whilst it might be a memoir, there's a lot that can be left unsaid, a lot that's glossed over or hinted at, and a lot that assumes the reader has some knowledge of Dawn French's life already.
Fair enough I thought - it must be a very uncomfortable thing to sit down and write about your life, especially some very personal and private moments. Particularly poignant to read the comments about now ex-husband Lenny Henry.
Came away from the book with a feeling of a woman who uses humour as both a job device and a coping mechanism.
shelleyrae's review against another edition
3.0
Having just recently read Dawn French's first foray into fiction, [b:A Tiny Bit Marvellous|9191039|A Tiny Bit Marvellous|Dawn French|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51NRsJvIVeL._SL75_.jpg|14070473] I picked up this memoir by the comedienne when it caught my eye at the library despite usually avoiding celebrity biographies.
Dear Fatty is presented as a series of letters ostensibly directed at the significant people in Dawn French's life including her father who committed suicide when she was nineteen, her best friend and comedy partner "Fatty" also known as Jennifer Saunders, and her (now ex) husband Lenny Henry.
Dawn French is a funny woman and this memoir presents plenty of hilarious and awkward moments from her life but also shares some of the heartbreak she has experienced. It's more personal than I expected with her very successful career more a backdrop to her emotional, nostalgic journey through her memories and a tribute to those who have been a part of it.
I admit I was a little disappointed that her 13 years as The Vicar of Dibley is given fairly short shrift as I imagine that much hilarity ensued behind the scenes of that program and that is the character I know her best as. Still I enjoyed reading about how she build her career and partnership with Saunders.
Given the demise of her relationship with Lenny Henry after the book's publication the letters have some real poignancy when she address her husband.
There are significant gaps in this memoir which is in no way comprehensive but it is an endearing mix of frank honesty, self depreciating wit that nevertheless still carefully guards her privacy. Probably best suited for those who have a familiarity with Dawn French, Dear Fatty is an entertaining memoir that is sure to delight her fans.
Dear Fatty is presented as a series of letters ostensibly directed at the significant people in Dawn French's life including her father who committed suicide when she was nineteen, her best friend and comedy partner "Fatty" also known as Jennifer Saunders, and her (now ex) husband Lenny Henry.
Dawn French is a funny woman and this memoir presents plenty of hilarious and awkward moments from her life but also shares some of the heartbreak she has experienced. It's more personal than I expected with her very successful career more a backdrop to her emotional, nostalgic journey through her memories and a tribute to those who have been a part of it.
I admit I was a little disappointed that her 13 years as The Vicar of Dibley is given fairly short shrift as I imagine that much hilarity ensued behind the scenes of that program and that is the character I know her best as. Still I enjoyed reading about how she build her career and partnership with Saunders.
Given the demise of her relationship with Lenny Henry after the book's publication the letters have some real poignancy when she address her husband.
There are significant gaps in this memoir which is in no way comprehensive but it is an endearing mix of frank honesty, self depreciating wit that nevertheless still carefully guards her privacy. Probably best suited for those who have a familiarity with Dawn French, Dear Fatty is an entertaining memoir that is sure to delight her fans.
goldiefan's review against another edition
2.0
I never got into this one and never got beyond the first few pages; I do really like dawn though, maybe I should re try
woolfardis's review against another edition
4.0
[Short and quick review from memory before I re-read and re-review at a later date:
One of my absolute heroes, un-paralleled in most areas. Loved her more for saying Rik Mayall was one of the most beautiful people she'd ever met. Be fun to re-read one day and immerse myself whilst feeling sorry for myself that I probably won't get to see her live show any time soon, or ever.
As for the book itself: can't remember much of it buuuut I think that's basic.]
One of my absolute heroes, un-paralleled in most areas. Loved her more for saying Rik Mayall was one of the most beautiful people she'd ever met. Be fun to re-read one day and immerse myself whilst feeling sorry for myself that I probably won't get to see her live show any time soon, or ever.
As for the book itself: can't remember much of it buuuut I think that's basic.]