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I Carried a Watermelon

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What to expect

‘Massively enjoyable’ Dawn French

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.

Critics Review

  • ‘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

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