I cant speak, French... (Dear Fatty - Dawn French)

Member Name: AmyAmy

Product:	Dear Fatty - Dawn French
Date:	13/06/09 (22 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: see review

Disadvantages: see review

I was given a late birthday present last month, and I was not so much shocked by how late it was, but more so what the gift itself was. One of my closest friends has bought me 'Dear Fatty', the autobiography of Dawn French. I cannot lie, I was delighted by this as it was something my eye had been on for months. Though I was surprised as I never really talk about Dawn French. She's one of those celebrities I secretly adore and take every opportunity to watch her work. I love autobiographies and have a very good feeling about this one!

First off, the cover of the book itself is quite pretty. I've seen a lot of autobiographies where the sleeve is white, or occasionally black, but this one is a gorgeous blue shade. It's so bright and attractive, a very happy colour indeed! There is a head shot of French on the front, smiling away at us. It all looks so wonderful. If so much effort had been put into designing the cover alone, then surely it had to be good on the inside!

If you have just a quick flick through the book, you will find that it is written in quite an unusual way. Instead of a chronological encounter of her life, it seemed to be something a lot more exciting. You'll notice that it is written in the form of letters, each to the people she loves most. Those who have influenced her the most. There were some to her Dad, her adopted daughter Billie, and even to Madonna (yes, really!). It seemed so exciting, I couldn't wait to start reading.

I was going on a four hour train journey to Newcastle, and then back again (not on the same day...), so I thought this 400 page book would be perfect to keep me occupied. I didn't know an awful lot about French to begin with. She was on Vicar or Dibley, a show I loved, and was the face of Terry's Chocolate Orange (until they inappropriately dropped her!). 'French and Saunders' was a huge success of hers and Jennifer's, and she was married to Lenny Henry. For a woman who had a life of 51 years, my knowledge covered just a small part of her life. I was keen to find out more so got started straight away.

Turning the first page I noticed it was a letter to her Dad. It was quite sentimental, as he died when she was just 19 years old. Though French still managed to worm some humour into the letter, to keep us interested and hooked in. The first letter, a nice length of just over a page long, was very exciteful, and definitely gave me a great first impression. With that I continued to read...

I found that as I went on the letters were getting a little dull. They were losing humour and there was not much exciting happening in them. Yes, French was pouring her heart into them and they did have that sentimental value. I managed to drag myself through to around page fifty, but less than a quarter of the way through the book and I simply could not go on. It had gotten off to such a great start, I had expected so much more. But it was just not happening. It was quite confusing, as some of the people I did not know who they were, and it was not clearly explained. I just couldn't get into it. I had given it a fair chance to get that far, but I had to give up.

It is such a shame that I could not get into this - I would have loved to learn more about French from her 'own' words. I imagine that if Dawn French is the one and only idol for you, then perhaps this would be worth reading. I had a flick through to letters further in to see if it would get better, but I personally did not find it overly enjoyable. I am just pleased, I suppose, that I personally did not fork out for it!

If you do like the sound of this, then it can be bought in quite a number of places. WHSmith sell it, and it can be bought there for around £14. Though I always buy my books online, and if you go to Amazon.co.uk, you will find it is being sold there at £9.54 hardcover, and £3.86 paperback. I would suggest going with the paperback to begin with! It's a good price but for me not worth it at all.

French is a wonderful actress and comedian, I cannot deny that, but her autobiography is not so great. If you can stomach its dullness then by all means, give it a try! I think I shall stick to watching the Vicar of Dibley instead. Sorry, French, but it's not for me!

© Amy 2009

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