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Paul O'Grady Autobiography #2
The Devil Rides Out
Britain's best loved entertainer tells more of his rollicking adventures. Following on from the enormous success of At My Mother's Knee , Paul O'Grady here continues his extraordinary life story. Aged 18, the young Paul has already been a cat burglar and a boxer, a mischievous altar boy and a civil servant, he's fathered a baby and lost his own dad, he's discovered Liverpool's burgeoning gay club scene as well as what goes on down at the Docks. Having crammed so much into his early life, surely there couldn't be much still left to do? Rest assured, there's never a dull moment in this riotous account of "What Paul Did Next." Today Liverpool; tomorrow—the World!
480 pages, Paperback
First published September 16, 2010
173 people are currently reading
726 people want to read
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 124 reviews
April 29, 2023
I decided to get copies of Paul O’Grady’s autobiography series (there’s 4 in total) for my Kindle after his untimely passing. I read his first when it was first released back when I was younger, I always have liked to read autobiographies from a young age and I was very familiar with Paul from the TV when I was growing up. I liked Blankity Blank with Lily Savage (Paul’s Drag Queen persona) and then The Paul O’Grady Show, a chat show that he hosted. I remember my surprise and delight when I realised that Lily and Paul were the same person. That familiar scouse accent, their biting wit… Losing Paul hit me alot harder than I ever could have imagined. He was a national treasure.
The Devil Rides Out (love the title) isn’t as comedic as his first autobiography but it was still an enjoyable, if slow, read! It’s more about his past places of work and how he built himself up in his career in the very beginning. I’m looking forward to his other two autobiographies - the third focuses more on Lily Savage and will have funny stories from those years! Savage was just in her infancy by the end of this book!
3.5 stars
The Devil Rides Out (love the title) isn’t as comedic as his first autobiography but it was still an enjoyable, if slow, read! It’s more about his past places of work and how he built himself up in his career in the very beginning. I’m looking forward to his other two autobiographies - the third focuses more on Lily Savage and will have funny stories from those years! Savage was just in her infancy by the end of this book!
3.5 stars
August 14, 2011
I feel bad giving only 2 stars to this book, because I like Paul O'Grady very much. But the second instalment of this autobiography is disappointing.
The content can be summarised as follows:
O'Grady gets unsuitable job that he hates, falls in with a crowd at a gay bar, sees a drag act and thinks "I could do that". O'Grady quits job he hates, gets another, starts frequenting another completely different but somehow exactly the same bar in which there is a resident drag act, and thinks "I could do that, but BETTER". Repeat with interchangeable jobs, bars and 'larger than life' queens (again interchangeable) over a period of 6 years, until finally O'Grady (or Lily) decides to start his own act and.....it ends.
I do feel a bit cheated. It started off well enough, but it soon became apparent that O'Grady (or perhaps the publishers?) is holding back on us for a 3rd instalment, in which hopefully something will actually happen.
I don't wish to be completely scathing, so here are the likable things about this book. O'Grady's unique voice shines through, and you can practically hear him in the text. If it wasn't for this I may have abandoned the book completely. His writing style is luckily as engaging as he is on TV. It appears to be an honest account of the period (as far as any of us are to know!) O'Grady is not portrayed as perfect nor is it a cautionary 'oooh wasn't I terrible' tale that many celebs put out. It seems simply to be an accurate account of what went on.
I think therein lies the problem. 'What went on' is not terribly exciting. You'd think it would be, considering Paul has relocated to London to live in a dodgy flat with several drag queens, by day working as a care worker (amongst other things), by night out to have as much fun as possible. The above would make an entertaining few chapters, but becomes repetitive when stretched to a whole book.
The content can be summarised as follows:
O'Grady gets unsuitable job that he hates, falls in with a crowd at a gay bar, sees a drag act and thinks "I could do that". O'Grady quits job he hates, gets another, starts frequenting another completely different but somehow exactly the same bar in which there is a resident drag act, and thinks "I could do that, but BETTER". Repeat with interchangeable jobs, bars and 'larger than life' queens (again interchangeable) over a period of 6 years, until finally O'Grady (or Lily) decides to start his own act and.....it ends.
I do feel a bit cheated. It started off well enough, but it soon became apparent that O'Grady (or perhaps the publishers?) is holding back on us for a 3rd instalment, in which hopefully something will actually happen.
I don't wish to be completely scathing, so here are the likable things about this book. O'Grady's unique voice shines through, and you can practically hear him in the text. If it wasn't for this I may have abandoned the book completely. His writing style is luckily as engaging as he is on TV. It appears to be an honest account of the period (as far as any of us are to know!) O'Grady is not portrayed as perfect nor is it a cautionary 'oooh wasn't I terrible' tale that many celebs put out. It seems simply to be an accurate account of what went on.
I think therein lies the problem. 'What went on' is not terribly exciting. You'd think it would be, considering Paul has relocated to London to live in a dodgy flat with several drag queens, by day working as a care worker (amongst other things), by night out to have as much fun as possible. The above would make an entertaining few chapters, but becomes repetitive when stretched to a whole book.
February 15, 2011
After reading this part of Paul Oh's autobio I definitely have a big respect for him. I get that he (and Lily) aren't everybody's taste but I've had a thing for Paul for years now. Now I can't believe what he already experienced between his late teens & early 20's...Respect.
Told in his own style the book had more suspense & thrill than 80% crime/thriller fiction literature & made you smile as well as tear up a little bit. Also respect to him for not holding back telling about stuff others might want to hold back. He definitely didn't make a saint out of himself, candid & fair.
Can't wait for the 3rd part.
Told in his own style the book had more suspense & thrill than 80% crime/thriller fiction literature & made you smile as well as tear up a little bit. Also respect to him for not holding back telling about stuff others might want to hold back. He definitely didn't make a saint out of himself, candid & fair.
Can't wait for the 3rd part.
October 5, 2012
I struggled with this one.
The first part of Paul's autobiography was great - full of fun and character.
Whether this second part was done by a different ghost-writer, or whether Paul was against a deadline, is difficult to say. The result, however, is actually not a book I enjoyed reading.
There were far too many "little did I know..." comments. I don't want to know that you actually spent 3 years at a flat you initially hated, Paul. I'll get to that information when I continue reading.
There were a couple of real laugh out loud moments but mostly it was really only OK.
The end was also very abrupt - presumably he had reached his word limit.
The first part of Paul's autobiography was great - full of fun and character.
Whether this second part was done by a different ghost-writer, or whether Paul was against a deadline, is difficult to say. The result, however, is actually not a book I enjoyed reading.
There were far too many "little did I know..." comments. I don't want to know that you actually spent 3 years at a flat you initially hated, Paul. I'll get to that information when I continue reading.
There were a couple of real laugh out loud moments but mostly it was really only OK.
The end was also very abrupt - presumably he had reached his word limit.
July 6, 2012
In this volume you see more of Paul's personality from his nasty side, which usually appears when he's been drinking, to his caring side and his feeling for those less fortunate than himself. He really did some shitty jobs in his time and no-one could say he hasn't seen life. The book comes across as being written honestly, brutally so at times and I think this is why I liked it. So many celebs appear to be a little economical with the truth in their biographies, just to look good.
April 19, 2018
Brilliant
I do love Paul O'Grady! His books are so entertaining and he writes as he speaks, it's like he's in the room having a nice little matter, just the two of us. He can switch from drag queen to carer in seconds and his empathy shines through. He really is the consummate entertainer and his book prove it.
I do love Paul O'Grady! His books are so entertaining and he writes as he speaks, it's like he's in the room having a nice little matter, just the two of us. He can switch from drag queen to carer in seconds and his empathy shines through. He really is the consummate entertainer and his book prove it.
February 11, 2016
Read this a while back and absolutely love it. I like Paul though as a person
September 11, 2017
This wasn't as funny as the first book but was nice to know how Paul started up on television.
April 10, 2023
Birkenhead 1973,
Eighteen years old Paul, young and free, slaps on the aftershave and plain gleaming new white cap sleeve T-shirt one of many in his wardrobe, hearing his Mum Molly's familiar cries, Oh the devil rides out tonight Annie the devil rides out.
The second book in his biography funnier and touching it's a cracking one.
I loved every chapter all his books will live on for all ages of readers in years to come.
Eighteen years old Paul, young and free, slaps on the aftershave and plain gleaming new white cap sleeve T-shirt one of many in his wardrobe, hearing his Mum Molly's familiar cries, Oh the devil rides out tonight Annie the devil rides out.
The second book in his biography funnier and touching it's a cracking one.
I loved every chapter all his books will live on for all ages of readers in years to come.
July 10, 2011
Favourite Quote: “If you’re considering getting an act together I’d drop the name. Lily Savage is all right for a bit of camp but no one is going to take an act that sounds like an old scrubber seriously, dahling.”
Looking back, I find it quite strange that, as an 8-year-old child, one of my favourite TV shows was the revival of the comedy game show Blankety Blank, hosted by the late, great Lily Savage. I remember finding the actual game pretty boring because I didn’t understand most of the double-entendres, but I LOVED Lily Savage and thought she was the best person on television for quite a while. I especially enjoyed her appearance at the 2001 Royal Variety Performance singing You’ve Got a Gimmick with fellow scouser Cilla Black and the adorable Barbara Windsor. I don’t think I’ll ever forget those tassles or Cilla’s light-up boobs! Check it out on YouTube for a laugh. Needless to say, in 2004, when the decision was made to retire Lily for good, I wasn’t impressed. But out of the sequin dust and feathers arose the man behind it all, Paul O’Grady, with the aptly named Paul O’Grady Show and I, along with millions of others, rejoiced (although I think I’ll always prefer him as Lily).
So, as a fan of Paul O’Grady, what did I think of the story of his life? Well, I have to be honest, I was a little disappointed. I must confess that I haven’t read the much-heralded first instalment, At My Mother’s Knee… And Other Low Joints, because I find stories about celebrities as children very dull, but it isn’t essential reading so don’t worry if you haven’t either. The Devil Rides Out starts really well; I got right into it and buckled myself in for an entertaining ride.
At the beginning of the book, 18-year-old Paul O’Grady has just lost his father, his mother has had a heart attack, and he is about to become a father quite unexpectedly. I had no idea he had a daughter, did you? Maybe I haven’t been paying close enough attention. Once Sharyn has been born, the rest of the book is mainly about Paul’s desperate search for a job that he can hold onto so he can pay her mother maintenance and live away from his nightmare of a mother. I say nightmare but I mean it in the nicest of ways; she doesn’t stop nagging and she seems pretty selfish, but I suppose her heart turns out to be in the right place.
The reason I found this book disappointing is that it only covers a few years of O’Grady’s life and, although all the different jobs he goes through make it seem action-packed, not much happens. I feel like I’m in the minority saying this though, so you might want to check it out for yourself before you trust me. Don’t get me wrong, I did very much enjoy finding out more about the range of jobs he has done in his life; from working in an abattoir to a children’s home, from a brothel to a hospital. I just thought he could have missed out a few stories and maybe fitted in a bit more of his life. I think, as primarily a Lily Savage fan, I was a bit bitter that she didn’t get much of an outing in this book. Something that also annoyed me is the amount of loose ends left untied at the end of the book; although O’Grady has confirmed that he will write a third and final chapter so perhaps I shouldn’t complain about that just yet.
I enjoyed the bizarre cast of characters very much even though, at times, I got confused as I felt that O’Grady assumed our previous knowledge of his many friends and rivals. It was interesting to find out who the legendary Vera actually is and how they met, and I loved reading about the many drag queens O’Grady came across in the few short years that this book catalogues, who, I suppose, became his inspirations for Lily (I think I have a slight drag queen obsession!).
What I enjoyed most about this book is that it hasn’t fallen into the trap that most lazy celebrity autobiographies do; it is not ghost-written. You can hear Paul O’Grady saying every single word you’re reading; not only has he got a very distinctive speaking voice and turn of phrase, but also a totally distinguishable writing style. This book isn’t about settling old scores (a certain Mrs Osbourne springs to mind here) or boring us to death with mind-numbing details. Paul writes about this period of his life as he sees it; sometimes it’s funny, sometimes moving, always honest.
Still a fan. Bring back Lily!
Looking back, I find it quite strange that, as an 8-year-old child, one of my favourite TV shows was the revival of the comedy game show Blankety Blank, hosted by the late, great Lily Savage. I remember finding the actual game pretty boring because I didn’t understand most of the double-entendres, but I LOVED Lily Savage and thought she was the best person on television for quite a while. I especially enjoyed her appearance at the 2001 Royal Variety Performance singing You’ve Got a Gimmick with fellow scouser Cilla Black and the adorable Barbara Windsor. I don’t think I’ll ever forget those tassles or Cilla’s light-up boobs! Check it out on YouTube for a laugh. Needless to say, in 2004, when the decision was made to retire Lily for good, I wasn’t impressed. But out of the sequin dust and feathers arose the man behind it all, Paul O’Grady, with the aptly named Paul O’Grady Show and I, along with millions of others, rejoiced (although I think I’ll always prefer him as Lily).
So, as a fan of Paul O’Grady, what did I think of the story of his life? Well, I have to be honest, I was a little disappointed. I must confess that I haven’t read the much-heralded first instalment, At My Mother’s Knee… And Other Low Joints, because I find stories about celebrities as children very dull, but it isn’t essential reading so don’t worry if you haven’t either. The Devil Rides Out starts really well; I got right into it and buckled myself in for an entertaining ride.
At the beginning of the book, 18-year-old Paul O’Grady has just lost his father, his mother has had a heart attack, and he is about to become a father quite unexpectedly. I had no idea he had a daughter, did you? Maybe I haven’t been paying close enough attention. Once Sharyn has been born, the rest of the book is mainly about Paul’s desperate search for a job that he can hold onto so he can pay her mother maintenance and live away from his nightmare of a mother. I say nightmare but I mean it in the nicest of ways; she doesn’t stop nagging and she seems pretty selfish, but I suppose her heart turns out to be in the right place.
The reason I found this book disappointing is that it only covers a few years of O’Grady’s life and, although all the different jobs he goes through make it seem action-packed, not much happens. I feel like I’m in the minority saying this though, so you might want to check it out for yourself before you trust me. Don’t get me wrong, I did very much enjoy finding out more about the range of jobs he has done in his life; from working in an abattoir to a children’s home, from a brothel to a hospital. I just thought he could have missed out a few stories and maybe fitted in a bit more of his life. I think, as primarily a Lily Savage fan, I was a bit bitter that she didn’t get much of an outing in this book. Something that also annoyed me is the amount of loose ends left untied at the end of the book; although O’Grady has confirmed that he will write a third and final chapter so perhaps I shouldn’t complain about that just yet.
I enjoyed the bizarre cast of characters very much even though, at times, I got confused as I felt that O’Grady assumed our previous knowledge of his many friends and rivals. It was interesting to find out who the legendary Vera actually is and how they met, and I loved reading about the many drag queens O’Grady came across in the few short years that this book catalogues, who, I suppose, became his inspirations for Lily (I think I have a slight drag queen obsession!).
What I enjoyed most about this book is that it hasn’t fallen into the trap that most lazy celebrity autobiographies do; it is not ghost-written. You can hear Paul O’Grady saying every single word you’re reading; not only has he got a very distinctive speaking voice and turn of phrase, but also a totally distinguishable writing style. This book isn’t about settling old scores (a certain Mrs Osbourne springs to mind here) or boring us to death with mind-numbing details. Paul writes about this period of his life as he sees it; sometimes it’s funny, sometimes moving, always honest.
Still a fan. Bring back Lily!
January 26, 2011
When I read his autobiography I hear Paul O'Grady speaking. Another fabulous read, moving, shocking, very funny. He has a great ear for dialogue, especially women's conversations, and can conjure up a humourous scene so quickly.
It isn't quite as laugh out loud funny as the first volume, but perhaps necessarily so? Paul is now a father (a very reluctant dad), working in social care (some very sad situations), takes a holiday in eastern Europe (in the Seventies - Checkpoint Charlie, the works), and endless short-term jobs on the, erm, seedier side of life.
I enjoyed it immensely. He writes well, and is an honest narrator about himself and others. I am really looking forward to the next volume, as he ends on an unnerving episode. I also recently finished the second volume of Stephen Fry's autobiography and the difference in how they both got their starts in show business is marked.
It isn't quite as laugh out loud funny as the first volume, but perhaps necessarily so? Paul is now a father (a very reluctant dad), working in social care (some very sad situations), takes a holiday in eastern Europe (in the Seventies - Checkpoint Charlie, the works), and endless short-term jobs on the, erm, seedier side of life.
I enjoyed it immensely. He writes well, and is an honest narrator about himself and others. I am really looking forward to the next volume, as he ends on an unnerving episode. I also recently finished the second volume of Stephen Fry's autobiography and the difference in how they both got their starts in show business is marked.
November 30, 2011
I'm not too keen on Paul O'Grady on TV, but really enjoyed his first autobiography so wanted to read this too. It's really interesting to read about his life; I knew he had worked in a children's' home, but didn't realise he had done so many 'caring' jobs. He's had quite a life, it's fascinating to read about how 'Lilly Savage' came about and how he developed 'her'.
The book finishes just as 'Lilly' is starting out. To have written two autobiographies covering his life up to the point he becomes famous demonstrates just how much he has done with his life. If he wrote it himself, he writes well in my opinion. He doesn't suffer fools, but has a much more caring side than I think his TV persona shows.
The book finishes just as 'Lilly' is starting out. To have written two autobiographies covering his life up to the point he becomes famous demonstrates just how much he has done with his life. If he wrote it himself, he writes well in my opinion. He doesn't suffer fools, but has a much more caring side than I think his TV persona shows.
September 19, 2012
Incredibly funny & readable, can't wait for the next installment..
"I won't be late," I lied, "and if I'm not home it means that I've stayed at one of me mates."
"Mates? Which Mates?" she asked suspiciously. "Ooh, I'd like to be behind you to see what you're up to with these mates, my lad."
'You wouldn't,' I thought.
"He's off out tomcatting it again, Annie, " my mother sighed resignedly down to the phone to my aunty.
"I won't be late," I lied, "and if I'm not home it means that I've stayed at one of me mates."
"Mates? Which Mates?" she asked suspiciously. "Ooh, I'd like to be behind you to see what you're up to with these mates, my lad."
'You wouldn't,' I thought.
"He's off out tomcatting it again, Annie, " my mother sighed resignedly down to the phone to my aunty.
December 23, 2013
Paul O'Grady is one of my favourite ever personalities. I couldn't help but hear the words of this autobiography, as I did the first instalment in his voice. He is a natural born comedian and I believe the TV/Radio persona is genuinely Paul O'Grady. Nothing is left to the imagination as to his somewhat chequered history, I think Lily Savage might even have led a more sheltered life!
January 20, 2015
The second instalment of Paul O Grday's autobiohraphy takes up where the first one left off with his father's death and the news that he is to become a father himself.
With his heart on his sleeve Paul takes us through his reactions to becoming a father, his move to London, his various jobs and he introduces us to some very interesting characters.
Laugh-out-loud funny and hugely entertaining.
With his heart on his sleeve Paul takes us through his reactions to becoming a father, his move to London, his various jobs and he introduces us to some very interesting characters.
Laugh-out-loud funny and hugely entertaining.
January 29, 2012
From the minute I finished reading "At My Mother's Knee" and put it down, I couldn't wait for the next instalment of Paul O'grady's memoirs. He is as funny in writing as he is on television, and I thoroughly enjoyed this book as much as the first. A must-read for Paul O'Grady/Lily Savage fans
December 3, 2012
Started laugh out loud funny but became fairly serious and ever so slightly dull for the second half. It was interesting reading about familiar pubs and areas of London though.
We need more of Paul's Mum; she sounds like a star!
We need more of Paul's Mum; she sounds like a star!
December 28, 2020
Goodness this book needs a trigger warning for us vegans
The amount of fur coats on show is horrifying (nope I don’t believe you can be compassionate wearing wolf fur) and the tales of the abattoir. I skipped those parts because, no thank you.
Otherwise this is a fantastic read. Proper page turner. I love Paul and the naughtier he gets the more I love him.
I can’t get enough of all the stories he has to tell.
The amount of fur coats on show is horrifying (nope I don’t believe you can be compassionate wearing wolf fur) and the tales of the abattoir. I skipped those parts because, no thank you.
Otherwise this is a fantastic read. Proper page turner. I love Paul and the naughtier he gets the more I love him.
I can’t get enough of all the stories he has to tell.
September 3, 2023
This book was just a lot of fun!! So interesting to find out the origins of Lily Savage and a bit more about Paul’s step into his real passions.
I did find this a bit repetitive at points, the book generally follows a format of 1.)Paul finds a job 2.)Paul gets in trouble/decides he doesn’t like the job 3.)Paul ends up jobless 4.)Repeat process
However, it was fun and a nice short read :)
I did find this a bit repetitive at points, the book generally follows a format of 1.)Paul finds a job 2.)Paul gets in trouble/decides he doesn’t like the job 3.)Paul ends up jobless 4.)Repeat process
However, it was fun and a nice short read :)
August 15, 2011
Volume 2 of O'Grady's autobiography. Read volume 1 - At My Mother's Knee - first, just because it's slightly superior.
This picks up immediately from the death of his father and continues Paul's exploits in unsuitable jobs (including husband and father!) and occasionally with unsuitable men. It's repetitive in places and doesn't move the life story along all that far - by the end of the book, O'Grady's alter-ego Lily Savage is still a raw newcomer on the drag scene.
I can't say I was disappointed though, because the writing is so good. It's a warts-and-all memoir, not a celebrity airbrushing. Reading this volume was like sitting down for a good chinwag with an old mate - there'll be some tales you've heard before, but they'll still make you laugh.
This picks up immediately from the death of his father and continues Paul's exploits in unsuitable jobs (including husband and father!) and occasionally with unsuitable men. It's repetitive in places and doesn't move the life story along all that far - by the end of the book, O'Grady's alter-ego Lily Savage is still a raw newcomer on the drag scene.
I can't say I was disappointed though, because the writing is so good. It's a warts-and-all memoir, not a celebrity airbrushing. Reading this volume was like sitting down for a good chinwag with an old mate - there'll be some tales you've heard before, but they'll still make you laugh.
January 22, 2011
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 advenures 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 nighttclub, 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....
Back Cover Blurb:
The further advenures 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 nighttclub, 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....
May 3, 2018
Enjoyable.
I like Mr O’Grady for the work he does with animals, his fondness for dogs, his warmth and ability to connect with people. I haven’t watched Lily Savage on TV, and did not know what to expect in this book.
What appealed to me was the simple narrative style. He recounts life the way it was, and a lot of it was hard. However through it all, including the hard drinking, sex with multiple partners, and some slightly dodgy situations, he comes across as a good human being who did the best he could under the circumstances.
I am pleased I came across this book. He engaged me and I kept wanting to know what happened next, which is what I expect from a book.
I like Mr O’Grady for the work he does with animals, his fondness for dogs, his warmth and ability to connect with people. I haven’t watched Lily Savage on TV, and did not know what to expect in this book.
What appealed to me was the simple narrative style. He recounts life the way it was, and a lot of it was hard. However through it all, including the hard drinking, sex with multiple partners, and some slightly dodgy situations, he comes across as a good human being who did the best he could under the circumstances.
I am pleased I came across this book. He engaged me and I kept wanting to know what happened next, which is what I expect from a book.
November 28, 2010
I enjoyed this even more than the first (if that's possible!). As we follow Paul into fatherhood and on to his debut into the world of drag I literally couldn't put this book down. The day couldn't go quick enough just so I could get home and read some more. As before, his writing is enthralling, filled with genuine emotion and sure to keep you interested. It made me laugh and cry along with him as he recounted his many adventures through his early life. I truley hope that there will be another, this book only covers a few short years of his life, and there's so much more to tell!
March 29, 2018
If you're a fan of Paul O'Grady you will love this.
This is the second of Paul's series of autobiographies and just as funny as the first. It covers Paul's late teens and early 20's and includes the birth of his daughter and a wedding. Paul struggled with various jobs, some which I was surprised about but then he discovers drag acts and the seed is planted for the rise of Lily Savage which is covered in the next book. If you're a bit of a prude this isn't for you but if like me you are a fan of Paul's then I definitely recommend this book.
This is the second of Paul's series of autobiographies and just as funny as the first. It covers Paul's late teens and early 20's and includes the birth of his daughter and a wedding. Paul struggled with various jobs, some which I was surprised about but then he discovers drag acts and the seed is planted for the rise of Lily Savage which is covered in the next book. If you're a bit of a prude this isn't for you but if like me you are a fan of Paul's then I definitely recommend this book.
December 31, 2010
The second volume of Paul O'Grady's honest and down-to-earth autobiography, covering his life as a social worker (including working as a peripatetic social worker with children from 'difficult' families) during the day and the beginnings of his drag act as Lily Savage in gay clubs and pubs in the evenings. Enjoyable, readable and colourful with no hint of any celebrity name-dropping or arrogance, this volume ends in the author's early twenties and there must be lots more to come Recommended.
August 13, 2014
Really enjoyed it, although less than the first installment. Feels like this one is dragged out somewhat, maybe to be able to write the third book (which I am going to read ASAP) and make people want to buy it. Still made me laugh and cry and shocked me in some places too. We shall see if book number three sums up the rest of his life until present day or if the publishers are still going to try and milk his story for a fourth installment!!
March 28, 2018
I’ve always loved Paul every since he became Lilly Savage and became himself on tv with his chat shows. I’ve read his first book At My Mother’s Knee and Other Low Joints and really enjoyed it. This book made me laugh so many times reading all the escapades he got up to. Plus also some sad times when he talked about working in a children’s home and looking after children in their own homes as their own parents couldn’t cope.
February 22, 2011
Interesting read - he is very witty. Like his other book I think he could have cut out some detail - how did he remember so much. Book ends with the creation of lily savage. Not sure if I agree with celebs dragging their life stories out over several volumes. Will probably read the next one though!
September 12, 2011
A much better book than the first of this series of biographies. Very interesting reading. We finally start to hear about Lily Savage, and how she came to be, and about Paul's life away from his mother, and his travels. Very good book. Can't wait to read his third, and probably the last of the series of his biographies.
September 11, 2011
not as good as his first. but still a couple of laughs but definately not out loud ones sadly. bt of a mixed; definately didnt feel as though he was in the room as you read it, like i did feel wit hthe first i could just hear him in the same room. but not with devil rides out. quite a disappointing second book. not all its cracked up to be.
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