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Paul O'Grady's Country Life
A fascinating glimpse into life at home in the country with Paul and his animals.
"Paul O'Grady's Country Life" takes us into the home of one of Britain's best loved stars. Paul's life in rural Kent -- which he shares with his dogs, sheep, cows, chickens and owls -- is as far removed from the bright lights of celebrity as you could possibly imagine. Yet this is where he is happiest and most relaxed. In tune with the rhythms of the country year -- from lambing in the spring and the village fete in the summer to the Halloween parties of autumn and the crackling fireside festivity of winter -- Paul's life at home comprises all the joys of rural existence. Whether he's baking a Simnel Cake for Easter or making a special meal when his grandkids come to stay, cooking up his herbal remedies like Four Thieves Vinegar to ward off winter colds or making his own Christmas decorations to decorate his lovely house for the festive season, Paul is never happier than when he spends time at home with his animals. Beautifully designed and illustrated with specially commissioned photography throughout, this book offers a very personal insight into the life of a national treasure.
"Paul O'Grady's Country Life" takes us into the home of one of Britain's best loved stars. Paul's life in rural Kent -- which he shares with his dogs, sheep, cows, chickens and owls -- is as far removed from the bright lights of celebrity as you could possibly imagine. Yet this is where he is happiest and most relaxed. In tune with the rhythms of the country year -- from lambing in the spring and the village fete in the summer to the Halloween parties of autumn and the crackling fireside festivity of winter -- Paul's life at home comprises all the joys of rural existence. Whether he's baking a Simnel Cake for Easter or making a special meal when his grandkids come to stay, cooking up his herbal remedies like Four Thieves Vinegar to ward off winter colds or making his own Christmas decorations to decorate his lovely house for the festive season, Paul is never happier than when he spends time at home with his animals. Beautifully designed and illustrated with specially commissioned photography throughout, this book offers a very personal insight into the life of a national treasure.
Paperback
First published October 9, 2014
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About the author
Paul O'Grady
25 books114 followersPaul James Michael O'Grady MBE (born 14 June 1955) was an English comedian, television presenter, actor, writer and radio DJ. He was best known for presenting the daytime chat television series, The Paul O'Grady Show and, more recently, Paul O'Grady Live, as well as his drag queen comedic alter ego, Lily Savage, as whom he performed in various television series including Blankety Blank (1997–1999) and Lily Live! (2000–2001). He also appeared in the comedy sitcom Eyes Down (2003–2004) and presented several travel documentaries.
Born to a working class Irish migrant family in Birkenhead, O'Grady went through various jobs in his youth, including working in various bars, for the civil service and for social services, moving around the country to do so. It was whilst living in London in 1978 that he first turned his hand to drag, developing the character of Lily Savage based upon various female relatives of his.
Born to a working class Irish migrant family in Birkenhead, O'Grady went through various jobs in his youth, including working in various bars, for the civil service and for social services, moving around the country to do so. It was whilst living in London in 1978 that he first turned his hand to drag, developing the character of Lily Savage based upon various female relatives of his.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
January 26, 2019
I wasn't initially sure about reading this book but I'm really glad I did. Paul gives us an entirely different side of his personality to how he seemed in his earlier TV shows. This is a much more serious and gentle side of a man who is clearly fascinated by and deeply loves "all creatures great and small"in particular of course his beloved dogs and perhaps with the exception of rats, especially when they were running round behind the walls of the large farmhouse where he lives.
Having stayed at a large farmhouse in The Dales lots of times some years ago... I can commiserate with him on that subject. I clearly remember lying in bed during the night listening to them running behind the walls and shuddering! This was quickly put to rights when the next morning we complained to our farmer landlord.
What a fascinating book this has turned out to be. It is almost like "a Bible" of country life and he covers every aspect I can think of in his gentle, easy, light-hearted, and also sometimes quite sad tales of his life living out in the country. He manages to turn all the difficult times he has experienced into a pleasure to read.
He describes the antics all his farm animals that he looks after. His encounters with his geese are really amusing. I don't think I would turn my back on any of those belligerent creatures. He also is faced with creatures like the fox who keeps on stealing his hens. Yet somehow there seems no real animosity towards this thief who visits and feasts upon the hens both day and night.
His love of his own dogs is often described on and off throughout the book and having seen him at Battersea with the many dogs he interacts with in his dry yet amusing way there is no mistaking how much he cares about them.
I found his detailed descriptions of various herbs, flowers, trees et al and lots of traditional country folklore most interesting. He seems to cover every aspect possible. Superstitions in general are covered in detail. I suspect much of these were handed down by his own Mum. An example - Never put shoes on a table. Not being superstitious myself I suppose I did find these quite quaint but I know many people take them seriously.
Paul is a natural writer with an easy style and his gentle humour is fun to read. He is completely honest about knowing nothing about country life at first so to read about his many 'learning experiences' is interesting too. In the midst of all his detailed descriptions of life in his country home I found his own previously hidden persona comes through and is honest and endearing. He is never too proud to hide all the mistakes he has made and is obviously content with his life style.
Dotted all through the book are many recipes to tempt his readers whether they like to cook or not. The very many diverse topics he covers all blend together to make a wholly enjoyable read. Running through the whole book is his own delight with his way of life and his love of getting up each day to tackle whatever his day brings. I found this book not just absorbing but fun to read also. I recommend it highly to anyone with a love of country life.
Having stayed at a large farmhouse in The Dales lots of times some years ago... I can commiserate with him on that subject. I clearly remember lying in bed during the night listening to them running behind the walls and shuddering! This was quickly put to rights when the next morning we complained to our farmer landlord.
What a fascinating book this has turned out to be. It is almost like "a Bible" of country life and he covers every aspect I can think of in his gentle, easy, light-hearted, and also sometimes quite sad tales of his life living out in the country. He manages to turn all the difficult times he has experienced into a pleasure to read.
He describes the antics all his farm animals that he looks after. His encounters with his geese are really amusing. I don't think I would turn my back on any of those belligerent creatures. He also is faced with creatures like the fox who keeps on stealing his hens. Yet somehow there seems no real animosity towards this thief who visits and feasts upon the hens both day and night.
His love of his own dogs is often described on and off throughout the book and having seen him at Battersea with the many dogs he interacts with in his dry yet amusing way there is no mistaking how much he cares about them.
I found his detailed descriptions of various herbs, flowers, trees et al and lots of traditional country folklore most interesting. He seems to cover every aspect possible. Superstitions in general are covered in detail. I suspect much of these were handed down by his own Mum. An example - Never put shoes on a table. Not being superstitious myself I suppose I did find these quite quaint but I know many people take them seriously.
Paul is a natural writer with an easy style and his gentle humour is fun to read. He is completely honest about knowing nothing about country life at first so to read about his many 'learning experiences' is interesting too. In the midst of all his detailed descriptions of life in his country home I found his own previously hidden persona comes through and is honest and endearing. He is never too proud to hide all the mistakes he has made and is obviously content with his life style.
Dotted all through the book are many recipes to tempt his readers whether they like to cook or not. The very many diverse topics he covers all blend together to make a wholly enjoyable read. Running through the whole book is his own delight with his way of life and his love of getting up each day to tackle whatever his day brings. I found this book not just absorbing but fun to read also. I recommend it highly to anyone with a love of country life.
July 3, 2018
I loved this book. A very interesting insight into pauls current life
April 13, 2018
Currently I'm loving books about people escaping everyday life, and moving to the middle of nowhere: they'll have a few animals, grow some vegetables and just have a stress free time. I feel like this is what I need.
This book is wonderful. I've watched Paul on the television since I was a child, so to read his witty tales has been a pleasure. I've laughed out loud with glee at some of these tales, and of course felt saddened by others. Buster the dog is a legend.
Paul doesn't mince his words, he gives a true to life account of living in the country, with his valiant attempts at country life being nothing but entertaining.
There's also some fab recipes in there, with some unique anecdotes to boot. What's not to love!
July 4, 2024
From the off I'll say I absolutely love Paul O'Grady and was really saddened by his recent death. I admittedly haven't got round to reading any of his autobiography installments but thought I'd try this title as it covers his life in rural Kent with his rather large menagerie of animals.
The writing is as you'd expect in Paul's voice, comedic, witty Birkenhead cackle with a few double entendres and raised Scouse brows! He relays some funny tales about his many animals (cow mooching into the kitchen whilst he's on the loo, a herd of fascist geese, a demented sheep!) and the experience of looking after them and living in a centuries old building. There are very funny anecdotes peppered throughout.
The reason for my 3 star rating however, is that a fair bit of the book feels like a filler, with pages of recipes for basic things like scones and jam and pages of herbs that he has grown and their associated folkloric meanings. These were twee but not that interesting.
Although I enjoyed the read, I don't think it was the best of his writing. I think I'll try out some of his autobiog installments from my local library.
The writing is as you'd expect in Paul's voice, comedic, witty Birkenhead cackle with a few double entendres and raised Scouse brows! He relays some funny tales about his many animals (cow mooching into the kitchen whilst he's on the loo, a herd of fascist geese, a demented sheep!) and the experience of looking after them and living in a centuries old building. There are very funny anecdotes peppered throughout.
The reason for my 3 star rating however, is that a fair bit of the book feels like a filler, with pages of recipes for basic things like scones and jam and pages of herbs that he has grown and their associated folkloric meanings. These were twee but not that interesting.
Although I enjoyed the read, I don't think it was the best of his writing. I think I'll try out some of his autobiog installments from my local library.
January 22, 2018
Paul O'Grady's Country Life has transported me to his home in rural Kent, which sounds like a lovely, magical place where people follow Nature's rhythm, growing their own fruit and veggies, making jam and home-made pies, observing traditions and shivering when the electricity fails due to heavy snow, haha. Through the book, I met all of Paul's animals - the dogs, sheep, pigs, owls, chickens, the Geestapo :) and even the wild hares hopping around in his garden. It was a delight! He writes as he talks - such an eloquent, elegant, witty style. This book now holds a special place in my heart. Plus, it has some great recipes for scones, soup and pies, which I'll surely try!
January 21, 2018
I absolutely loved this book. As I was reading, I could hear Paul's voice in my head.
I so loved hearing the animal stories, and seeing all the photos of them.
I would definitely recommend this book to anybody.
I so loved hearing the animal stories, and seeing all the photos of them.
I would definitely recommend this book to anybody.
January 11, 2020
Paul O Grady is my favorite English celebrity and I was so excited to read all about his life in the country with all the rescued animals we see glimpses of on his For the Love of Dogs show.
As always,his writing is very funny and very easy to read. It's written in a conversational style in that he goes off on various tangents and offshoots a lot just as we do in real life. That felt jarring and unorganized at first,but I got used to it.
His book covers really everything you could ever dream up about country life,from superstitions to herbs to all his animals to celebrating Halloween to recipes and fairies and wildflowers and conservation. And hilarity and chaos of course.
I loved reading about all his animals and his love for them.
I've always admired Paul as a person and think it'd be great fun to be friends with him. This book solidified that idea more as he unabashedly shares his childlike side from running outside in tanking rain in his PJs to jumping in a snow bank. He also believes in fairies and sits quietly in his forest hoping to glimpse one,I found this endearing.
If you like Paul or if you just like animals and countryside,this is a fast,fun, quirky read.
As always,his writing is very funny and very easy to read. It's written in a conversational style in that he goes off on various tangents and offshoots a lot just as we do in real life. That felt jarring and unorganized at first,but I got used to it.
His book covers really everything you could ever dream up about country life,from superstitions to herbs to all his animals to celebrating Halloween to recipes and fairies and wildflowers and conservation. And hilarity and chaos of course.
I loved reading about all his animals and his love for them.
I've always admired Paul as a person and think it'd be great fun to be friends with him. This book solidified that idea more as he unabashedly shares his childlike side from running outside in tanking rain in his PJs to jumping in a snow bank. He also believes in fairies and sits quietly in his forest hoping to glimpse one,I found this endearing.
If you like Paul or if you just like animals and countryside,this is a fast,fun, quirky read.
December 14, 2017
Not his best
Much preferred the autobiographies to this not very exciting recipe book. I did enjoy the bits about his animals. Worth a read if you are a fan.
Much preferred the autobiographies to this not very exciting recipe book. I did enjoy the bits about his animals. Worth a read if you are a fan.
May 7, 2023
A glorious romp through the countryside
I'll definitely be returning to this book frequently for recipes as it doubles up as a recipe book. An entertaining read about life in the countryside
I'll definitely be returning to this book frequently for recipes as it doubles up as a recipe book. An entertaining read about life in the countryside
January 25, 2019
Great read funny warm engaging book I felt as though I at times was in Paul's home with him
I chose the rating because of the enjoyment this book gave to me Paul's honesty and candour shone through admirably
I chose the rating because of the enjoyment this book gave to me Paul's honesty and candour shone through admirably
April 4, 2023
Just love all his books, and gutted about his passing 🥰
April 4, 2022
I really enjoyed this book as I'm a big fan of Paul O'Grady. I like the conversational style of writing and you can just hear Paul's voice throughout. His love of the countryside is evident as is his deep love and care for the various animals he looks after. At times it's laugh out loud funny - Those Geestapo! It includes some of his favourite recipes and a bit of country lore and use of herbs etc - told as only Paul can. An interesting read.
January 17, 2019
Another incredibly well written tale. Full of laughs from the start.
January 6, 2019
Absolutely loved this book. With many laugh out loud moments. Wrote in typical Paul O'Grady fashion
January 3, 2019
Great book, fun recipes!
December 31, 2018
Very entertaining, funny, touching and very informative. I learned a lot reading this and chuckled a lot along the way.
December 27, 2018
I love Paul O���Grady and his hilarious stories, not only of life in London but also his move to Kent and his life there.
November 9, 2018
I don't really read many autobiographies but I am a big fan of Paul O'Grady so couldn't wait to get stuck into this book, I regularly watch him on one of his many tb programmes that he does. This book is all about him moving to the countryside and about his many different animals he keeps there. Being a big animal lover like Paul I can see his passion and love for all the animals he owns. There are some funny parts which made me giggle, how he refers to a squirrel is just a corker. A charming book with some great little recipes at the back of the book that I will definitely be trying out myself.
April 30, 2018
This is a bit of a hodgepodge, part escape to the country, part recipe book, party planner, seasonal diary, herbalism, gardening tips and livestock wrangling. As with all his books, present mingles with past, in the same sentence he talks about Murphy, dead since 2005, and his husband Andre. It's presented as if he moved in the last few years, but deeper in you realise he bought the place 20 years ago... His acerbic wit still shines through, no need to worry he's gone all local yokel in his dotage.
August 25, 2018
Paul O'grady at his best
I have read all of Paul O'gradys books but I have to say that this one is my favourite.. it is just Paul being himself at home with his animals. I love the way he interacts with them giving every single one of them all his attention and love. I also like the way he talks about his garden, his plants and flowers giving information and helpful hints on how to look after them. There is so much more to this book that gives you an insight of just who Paul O'Grady really is. He is so down to earth and caring with a fantastic sense of humour.
I have read all of Paul O'gradys books but I have to say that this one is my favourite.. it is just Paul being himself at home with his animals. I love the way he interacts with them giving every single one of them all his attention and love. I also like the way he talks about his garden, his plants and flowers giving information and helpful hints on how to look after them. There is so much more to this book that gives you an insight of just who Paul O'Grady really is. He is so down to earth and caring with a fantastic sense of humour.
October 2, 2018
Paul’s books are, basically, him, so if you’re not a fan, don’t bother. But if like me, you love his caustic wit and grumpy old queen persona, then this is a good addition to the library. I’ve recently spent some time in the area where he lives, so I appreciate its charms, but it’s too busy for one used to the real tranquility of the French countryside. This is less autobiography, more manual for townie-to-rural living, but it is great fun, and his encounters with his four-legged companions remain the highlights. I look forward to trying the recipes, too.
February 8, 2023
Whilst personally not so interested in rural life and cooking this would be a great gift for someone who is. There are beautiful photos, recipes and gardening tips interspersed with some witty sections about Paul's animals. There are one or two typographical errors eg 'Anna' instead of 'Flora' in a paragraph on Page 213 and 'sat' instead of 'sitting'. I prefer Paul's other autobiographies but admire this portrait of his country lifestyle.
September 23, 2018
Paul O'Grady says how it is out in the country. This is a wonderful honest and humorous look at his life at home. Who knew he was such a good cook or that he has had so many different animals in his care. I can thoroughly recommend this read to anyone who is thinking of leaving city life behind and buying a pad in the countryside.
Paul O'Grady writes in such an easy chatty style that you feel as though you are having a chat over a cup of coffee and a slice of one of his delicious cakes.
Paul O'Grady writes in such an easy chatty style that you feel as though you are having a chat over a cup of coffee and a slice of one of his delicious cakes.
May 10, 2021
I like Paul O'Grady, I like the countryside, and I like animals. It was interesting hearing of Paul's life in rural Kent and all his escapades with his menagerie of pets and many of his anecdotes surrounding them. As a 300+ page book though, it did feel a little bloated, especially with the inclusion of recipes and the like, it felt a little in need of tighter editing and a better idea of what it wanted to be, rather than a hodgepodge collected into a book.
December 3, 2017
There are some funny stories and it is an easy and light(ish) read, although some parts didn't interest me as much as others. I got a bit confused with the names of various species but I found it a fun and enjoyable read overall. Thanks to my friend T-Lou for sending me the book!.
January 18, 2018
Entertaining, easy read. The best chapters relate to his stories about his animals. Not so keen on the baking and cooking chapters and didn't think they were necessary or fitted in. He writes how he talks so the book is very funny in parts.
July 22, 2018
Easy read
Paul O'Grady is a very interesting raconteur. The way he writes you can almost image that you are sitting in his kitchen chatting over tea and lemon drizzle cake. I have bookmarked some of his recipes to try.
Paul O'Grady is a very interesting raconteur. The way he writes you can almost image that you are sitting in his kitchen chatting over tea and lemon drizzle cake. I have bookmarked some of his recipes to try.
November 13, 2017
This was excellent, as all his books are. I can hear his voice as I'm reading & even read through the recipes as he made them entertaining
November 20, 2017
Always love Paul’s books made me smile
December 26, 2017
Another great read
Yet another great read
I have read all Paul's books and am never disappointed.
Keep writing am waiting for your next novel
Thank you
Yet another great read
I have read all Paul's books and am never disappointed.
Keep writing am waiting for your next novel
Thank you
Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews