Paul O'GradyCritiques

Pauls a hoot. Written as if he was talking to you, Lily Savage n'all.

Entertaining story of the author's life in the Kent countryside, keeping various animals and fully embracing a country lifestyle. Includes a number of his recipes.

Excellent read full of all the charm and wit of Paul O'Grady..
All his animals and hobbies and his lovely home.

I found it lying around at my parents' place and didn't expect much, but Mr O'Grady is an engagingly sympathetic character, so I kept with him as he stumbled through his pious Catholic upbringing, between boyfriends and girlfriends, consistently disappointing and disgusting his parents and their relatives. It's a good read, particularly if you like the word "peripatetic" or have no desire of a Polari glossary for when he lands in London.

This is nearly as good as the 1st volume. Many funny moments (the colostomy bag episode in particular) but some darker, and no less interesting too, like the paedophilia & the ageing stripper.

This is my top surprisingly good read of the year. I was expecting some dire self-promotion but what I got was well written, consistently interesting, with clearly realised scenes. I liked it's anecdotal nature and he has rather a wicked sense of humour. Loved the bit where he promises his mum he'll never tell anyone about her being a drug fiend. And despite having had radically different upbringings I find we share some opinions. I too think a heart attack is the best way to go.

This 3rd volume, well, it's not as good as the first two though there are some very funny moments, but the ending's weak. It's still well written and readable and a fascinating record of a most unusual course through life.

A warts and all description of the author's life up to age 18 when his father died. Impressive recall of childhood incidents.

This second volume of his autobiography takes us from late teenagerhood and fatherhood (his adventures with girls are never fully explained, but just accepted – fair enough!) to the tentative birth of Lily Savage. Lots of scurrilous activity and details on how to work in a pub, become a female impersonator and put on an act, but also lots of details about his jobs in social services, which have obviously had a huge influence on him, and has, I would imagine, made him into the person we now warm to behind the brassy exteriors. Well written and engaging: there were just a few too many icky social services stories, maybe, which felt a bit jammed in at the last minute and struck a slightly odd note. But a good read in general.

Paul is bringing back many childhood memories for me, a lot of the characters and phrases are very familiar. Scousers are a big part of North Wales, as many families from Liverpool would holiday on the North Wales Coast. Dont know how the content of the book converts for those who sadly lack the ability to understand Northern humour, (dry and witty), but Paul portrays it well. So many times Ive had to put the book down because I'm giggling so much. A great read, looking forward to the next part

Paul O Grady leaves no stone unturned with this autobiography. Filled with his usual humour and sad times, Paul lets us delve into his past. A well worth satisfying read.

Loved this second part of Paul's autobiography. Just as funny as the first book. Can't wait for the third instalment.

Back Cover Blurb:
The further adventures of Paul O'Grady - following on from the million-copy-selling At My Mother's Knee - are, if anything, even more hilarious and outrageous than what has come before. As Paul struggles to get to grips with unexpected fatherhood and bereavement, he searches high and low for a job that lasts and somehow finds himself getting married in the process. Work takes him from an abattoir to a children's home, from a hospital to a nightclub, and from penthouse to pavement. Along the way, he takes his first Savage steps on stage, tastes the exotic delights of Manila and invades Poland.....