Love Dawn French, love her autobiography. ( )

I really enjoyed this! I loved the way it was made up of a series of letters, rather than traditional chapters. I loved Dawn’s writing style, it was warm and funny but also poignant. ( )

So I only read this as a friend was throwing it out as part of her new year declutter. I dipped in and out throughout the year so far (and its been a long one!).

This was released around 2007 I think and it has dated somewhat. Not only has the world moved on but a lot of the anecdotes take on a different tinge when the writer is no longer 51 and married etc but 63 and divorced and quite changed.

This felt a little bit like reading old blog entries from a blogger you have followed recently. It is the same person but its not. There is a lot of nostalgia which both worked and didn't for me in this book. I have a brunette sister born 1957 so some of the cultural references were great and humourous and relevant. However I did not grow up in Britain and do not have a great knowledge of some of the popular culture references of the 1980's and 1990's. This made it both informative (who knew who she did early comedy with and the photos were great). But also this made it feel a tiny bit self indulgent - guess who I knew before they were famous type stuff.

I guess if you knew more about Dawn French this might be fun but I don't beyond a couple of sitcoms and charity appearances so make of that what you will. I think this may have been why I was not engrossed or fascinated as much as I have been by other memoirs of those I know of a little better (Miranda Hart springs to mind). Also the overriding impression was how oddly the book has dated. On the plus side it is well paced and well edited.

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Interesting to read about Dawn's life and her evolution into a comedic star as well as hearing about her personal relationships. A book written in the form of letters to people who are important to her. ( )

Funny, touching, heartwarming, sad and a life totally unfamiliar to my own experience. I loved her comedy and that of her husband. The book was published shortly before her 25 year marriage dissolved so it was bittersweet to read. Ebullience is the only word for this woman. Indomitable also.