Big and Beautiful! (Dear Fatty - Dawn French)

Member Name: mumto3

Product:	Dear Fatty - Dawn French
Date:	04/02/09 (265 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Open, Honest, Moving, Funny - everything!

Disadvantages: I was left wanting to know more

I had seen this book advertised on television and although I was intrigued to find out more about Dawn French I was happy to wait for the paperback.

My Husband bought the book for me for Christmas after I had mentioned to him that I would like to read it but felt it was too expensive. The cover price is £18.99 but you can get this cheaper if you shop around or wait for the paperback.

I have obviously heard of Dawn French and I enjoy the vicar of Dibley and the various Comic Relief skits that Dawn has been involved in. Who can forget that kiss between Dawn and Hugh Grant! I was more interested in finding out about Dawn French the person rather than her career or charity work.

I obviously don't want to include any spoilers in my review which will be hard but I will try my best.

The book is not like your normal autobiography and at first this did put me off a little bit. I read a couple of other books before I got to this one as I was a bit disappointed with the way it was presented. Once I started reading I couldn't put it down, I wish I'd read it first but then I would have finished it sooner!

The book is set out is a series of letters written by Dawn to various people she has known and loved in her life. The letters are mostly very personal and you get a real sense of Dawn as a mother, Dawn as a daughter, Dawn as a wife and Dawn as a friend. Some of the letters are written to other celebrities such as Jennifer Saunders and of course her Husband Lenny Henry. Although all the letters are written by Dawn some are written by an 11 year old Dawn or by Dawn the Comedienne. I found myself totally absorbed by many of the letters and completely forgot that these letters were not personal and had all been written for the purposes of the autobiography.

Despite both Lenny and Dawn being in the public eye they chose to shun the world of celebrity! I found this very frustrating as there were certain aspects of their life together that I felt I needed to know more about. Although Dawn does touch on some of the subjects that are common knowledge thanks mostly the press she is very vague and manages to give nothing away.

After finishing the book I am left wanting to know more. I feel a bit like this is a trailer to a bigger and better story. Many of the letters are very personal and very moving but I still have so many questions left unanswered. I known a lot more about Dawn and her life and career than I did before but I wish I could have a coffee and a chat to fill in the gaps. Dawn comes across as a warm and loving women who's family is the centre of her world and for a short time you are invited into that world.

The book contains many pictures throughout and in my opinion is very open and honest. The book made me laugh and cry in equal amounts and was definitely the best autobiography I have read in a long time.

Author: Dawn French
Publisher: Century 2008
ISBN:978-1-8460-5344-3

I recommend this book to anyone who has every heard of Dawn French!

Summary: Dawn French - everything you every wanted to know!