PMJ snaps up French's 'anthem to imperfection'

Penguin Michael Joseph has snapped up Dawn French’s “joyful” new book. 

Managing director Louise Moore acquired UK and Commonwealth rights to The Twat Files from Robert Kirby at United Agents. It will publish 12th October 2023, alongside an audiobook edition released simultaneously by Penguin Random House Audio.  

The Twat Files is described as “an anthem to imperfection”. The synopsis says: “Covering everything from first loves and flirting to onscreen crushes, from pony club to hippos to Elton John, Dawn recounts the many mishaps, misunderstandings and cringe-inducing moments that are the inevitable part of being gloriously, messily human. As laugh-out loud hilarious as it is warm and wise, The Twat Files brings together Dawn’s stories of love and loss, motherhood, friendship and family through one unifying concept – that Dawn French is a massive twat.” 

French said: “Perfection seems to have taken on a life of its own in recent years, with social media, filters and all that. And although it’s been sold to us as the way to find our best self, it’s really just been stopping us from being who we are. Stopping us from embarrassing mishaps and making terrible mistakes, the kind we look back on and laugh at for years to come. 

“The Twat Files are my stories of the times when I’ve been a total, utter twat. Time and time again, I’ve been a massive eejit. But the more I think about it, the more I understand that the moments where I’ve made mistakes, misunderstood stuff and messed up are key. That’s where all my learning happens and where I laugh the most. Being a twat is universal and my twatitshness is no different to yours. Except, perhaps, that mine has been horrifyingly public on occasion. My hope is that reading these stories of my twattishness might remind you of just what a massive twat you also are, that we might celebrate."  

Moore added: “It is always a joyful moment to publish a new Dawn French book. In The Twat Files, Dawn presents herself warts and all, sharing with us her most embarrassing moments the only way she knows how; by being very, very funny. I guarantee hers will be the funniest, feel-good book of the autumn.”