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I Carried a Watermelon
- Dirty Dancing and Me
- Narrated by: Katy Brand
- Length: 5 hrs and 12 mins
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I Carried a Watermelon
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Summary
I Carried a Watermelon is a love letter to Dirty Dancing. A warm, witty and accessible look at how Katy Brand’s life-long obsession with the film has influenced her own attitudes to sex, love, romance, rights and responsibilities.
It explores the legacy of the film, from pushing women’s stories to the forefront of commercial cinema, to its ‘Gold Standard’ depiction of abortion according to leading pro-choice campaigners, and its fresh and powerful take on the classic ‘coming of age’ story told from a naïve but idealistic 17-year-old girl’s point of view.
Part memoir based on a personal obsession, part homage to a monster hit and a work of genius, Katy will explore her own memories and experiences, and talk to other fans of the film, to examine its legacy as a piece of filmmaking with a social agenda that many miss on first viewing. One of the most celebrated and viewed films ever made is about to have the time of its life.
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Critic reviews
‘It takes a true obsessive to open the mind especially to something one has always taken for granted. I knew I loved DIRTY DANCING but I didn’t know why. Now, thanks to Katy Brand’s hilarious, touching, bonkersly true book, I do. One of the best reads of the year.’ Emma Thompson
‘This is a book to massively enjoy (as I did) and then immediately hand on to your daughter (as I did)! I’m off to watch Dirty Dancing again immediately, and so will you when you read this gem.’ Dawn French
‘A joyful book, and such a thoughtful one, too.’ Nigella Lawson
‘An honest, moving, hilarious journey into how our youthful passions shape the people we become. Katy is the finest dance partner to take you on this journey.’ Shappi Khorsandi
‘A joyous, funny, personal page-turner. I read it in one sitting.’ Deborah Frances-White, The Guilty Feminist
‘a witty, endearing and surprisingly political take on her lifelong obsession with Dirty Dancing’ The Bookseller
‘[this] affectionate homage encourages us to reassess Baby Houseman’s summer romance as a “feminist manifesto [and] instruction manual for girls” that sneaks in a potent pro-choice message.’ Neil Smith, Total Film
‘part-memoir, part film-studies dissertation [that] is very, very funny.’ The Sunday Times
‘I may be the only person on Earth not to have seen Dirty Dancing. Reading this book has been a revelation. I wish I hadn’t missed that formative time in my womanhood—the sense of self-assuredness and possession, daring and joy that Katy has found in this film. Fortunately she has carried it forward with her and shares it all with us—with insight, wit and relatability—in this hilarious, poignant and revelatory read.’ Desiree Burch
‘A hilarious tribute.’ Daily Express
‘An invaluable guide.’ The Sun
‘Hugely evocative with Katy’s trademark wit and warmth’ Woman
What listeners say about I Carried a Watermelon
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Tim
- 11-01-20
Just brilliant
Katy Brand has written a book with real passion. I liked the film Dirty Dancing before reading this book but wasn’t an aficionado. I now feel that I love the film ( even though I haven’t reseen it yet).
I can not recommend this book highly enough ( and I’m a 60 year old man) !
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4 people found this helpful
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- Alison
- 03-02-23
Surprised how much I enjoyed this!
I was looking for a feel good memoir and this is just that. It’s interesting, funny and brilliantly read by the author. I didn’t know much about Katy Brand before I listened to this but it’s made me really like her!
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- luckycat
- 06-08-22
Loved it
If you’re a Dirty Dancing fan I’d thoroughly recommend this book.
Funny, insightful, brilliant obscure info about the film, and put words to all the feelings I felt when I watched it obsessively as a teen.
A great listen!
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- Amazon Customer
- 17-07-21
Dirty Dancing through your life
I enjoyed the narration and laughed and cried with the author through it all. Excitement, anticipation, disappointment, discoveries and highlights… some uncomfortable subjects are discussed with the only judgement being her point of view and by no means forced on the listener, though it is clear she hopes you will see it from her point of view. A good listen and interesting dicertatcion of Dirty Dancing and it’s value to society.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 19-11-19
loved it
if you are a fan of dirty dancing this is a must read. loved Katy's insight into the film and how it has helped tell her own story. brilliant
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- M Ryan
- 14-10-19
I want to carry a watermelon
This isn’t easy to say but I am just going to say it .... I have never seen Dirty Dancing!
As a gay man in his mid 20s I am ashamed to say I have never seen Dirty Dancing I am not ashamed to say I absolutely love Katy Brand and I was so looking forward to this book, it has not disappointed in any way shape or form. In fact I actually also bought the book version because I absolutely love Katie Brands voice. This book is an absolute joy to read and to listen to even if you have never seen Dirty Dancing.
It has made me laugh out loud many times and I am very happy to now announce.... I just bought the DVD of Dirty Dancing to watch.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Dani Williams
- 08-06-21
This is a MUST for any Dirty Dancing fan
I always liked Katy Brand any way, but this book was bought for me by a friend who also loves Dirty Dancing. I adored her deep dive into the story, found her to be a brilliant narrator and fell in love with the movie all over again. It literally made me re-think and analyse my whole teenage era and how this movie changed my attitude to so many things.
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- Julie
- 27-10-19
Excellent Read
Katy reads this book well, she is clear well paced and her timing is perfect. I liked but not particularly adored 'dirty Dancing' but as I listened to this book I thi k I fell in love with it a little bit more as I realised the impact it had made on Kathy's and my life. Her analysis of the film is interesting and thought provoking. Her analogies and stories are entertaining. It isn't just about the film she somehow weaves her story into the book... She shares some of herself. It's the sort of sharing that had me nodding my head saying yes yes... as I identified with many of her experiences. It has inspired me to send the book to my {Adult}daughter and have suggested we watch the film together. It was an easy read (listen) and I would recommend it to anyone who likes to think about: life, the empowerment of women, the impact of film on society, political statements through the medium of the arts and of course any fans of Dirty Dan ing. Well worth a read.
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3 people found this helpful
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- Personal
- 25-09-21
brilliant
brilliant thanks for the laughter and joy of the best way to explain life .
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