Paul O’Grady is one of Britain’s very best loved entertainers. He is known and adored by millions, whether as the creator of the acid-tongued Blonde Bombsite, Lily Savage, or the presenter of the fantastically successful, award-winning Paul O’Grady Show on Channel 4. Now, in his own unique voice, Paul O’Grady tells story of his early life in Irish Catholic Birkenhead that started him on the long and winding road from mischievous altar boy to national treasure. It is a brilliantly evoked, hilarious and often moving tale of gossip in the back yard, bragging in the corner shop and slanging matches on the front doorstep, populated by larger-than-life characters with hearts of gold and tongues as sharp as razors. At My Mother’s Knee features an unforgettable cast of rogues, rascals, lovers, fighters, saints and sinners - and one iconic bus conductress. It’s a book which really does have something for everyone and which reminds us that, when all’s said and done, there’s a bit of savage in all of us…
At My Mother's Knee...: and other low joints
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Amazon Review
Paul O'Grady, apart from being one of Britain's best loved entertainers, is a classic example of reinvention, as At My Mother’s Knee demonstrates. The young Liverpool entertainer, an altar boy from Irish Catholic Birkenhead, becomes the acid-tongued and outrageous drag queen Lily Savage, and moves from gay pubs to national television, creating something of a British comic institution en route (O'Grady's caustic drag character was a world away from safer predecessors such as Danny La Rue). But O'Grady (like other comic performers such as John Cleese) realised that comic creations can have a limited shelf life, and reinvented himself as ‘Paul O'Grady’, coming out from behind the false breasts and towering wigs as a toned-down (but still camp), more audience-friendly TV presenter (wisely, he retained the abrasive voice and a Scouse accent that could be cut with a knife).
At My Mother's Knee and Other Low Joints is an entertaining autobiography from someone who really does have a life that is worth writing about. Gossipy, sharp and colourful, the cast of characters in Paul O'Grady's life includes rogues and rascals galore, all of whom are evoked here with great comic skill. O'Grady was variously a boxer, a civil servant, a conman and even a cat burglar - all of these failed careers are on display here, as is a surprisingly pungent picture of the Liverpool nightclub scene. When so many showbiz autobiographies these days are written by people who have a barely had a life outside of their fame, it's refreshing to encounter one by somebody whose story would be interesting even if he were not a major TV star. --Barry Forshaw
Review
Paul speaks with warmth and hilarity about a childhood filled with poverty, and reveals a cast of characters with whom he could have created an entire comedy series. Hugely interesting and entertaining. --Jo Hoare, Heat Magazine
At My Mother's Knee distinguishes itself on every level --Carol Ann Duffy, The Observer
While most celeb memoirs are as memorable as an air kiss, O'Grady's is a proper snog --The Scotsman
At My Mother's Knee distinguishes itself on every level --Carol Ann Duffy, The Observer
While most celeb memoirs are as memorable as an air kiss, O'Grady's is a proper snog --The Scotsman
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
78 of 79 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
You can actually hear Paul dictating the words. There are heart tugging moments but there are also laugh out loud moments from a giggle to a hearty belly laugh. The characters who populated Paul's world are larger than life and twice as funny. This is a book that is, to coin a word, unputdownable and one I shall keep. I can't wait for the next one.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By M. A. Smith
Format:Hardcover
I don't 'do' autobiographies as a rule. But I received this for Christmas as I am a huge fan of Paul O'Grady (and of course Lily Savage) and was intrigued by the book only covering Paul's childhood. All I can say is that if every biography is as well written and thought out as this, I would read nothing but. As other reviewers have stated, you can really hear Paul's voice as you read. I loved the flash forwards and flash backs that he drops in at points which keeps the book from following the usual plodding linear style and some of the stories make you chuckle (I don't do laugh) out loud. However, Paul is also superb at describing the more poignant, sadder moments that occur and the last chapter of the book really is quite moving.
I take umbrage with one review of this book who claims that Paul describes in graphic detail his tales of men and that you need a strong stomach to get through it. All I can say is that the reviewer must have been reading a completely different book to me, or painting it with personal opinion about homosexuality. There are no graphic descriptions, you get the gist of what would / did occur but no more. There are some near to the knuckle comments and remarks but not about Paul's sex life and they are really very tame compared to what Lily would have said!
Read this book!!!
I take umbrage with one review of this book who claims that Paul describes in graphic detail his tales of men and that you need a strong stomach to get through it. All I can say is that the reviewer must have been reading a completely different book to me, or painting it with personal opinion about homosexuality. There are no graphic descriptions, you get the gist of what would / did occur but no more. There are some near to the knuckle comments and remarks but not about Paul's sex life and they are really very tame compared to what Lily would have said!
Read this book!!!
81 of 85 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is the story of Paul O'Grady, presenter TV Actor and the alter ego of the infamous Lily Savage.
If you pick up this book thinking you are getting sordid wild tales of Paul and his famous friends then you are going to be disappointed, there is not even a mention of Buster!
This is Paul from the beginning to him turning 18. Here he tells the story of his life, growing up in Birkenhead. That small fishing village near Liverpool!! Paul tells brilliantly all the tales of his family and the sorts of tricks that any little boy gets up to when they are 4 or 5, as well as the tricks they get up when they discover girls (and boys!). Experiences of school and work will make you laugh out loud, and his experience with the church and Catholicism is also so philosophical and funny at the same time. What is apparent throughout this book is how all the characters of his life, his mum and her sisters have influenced his later life not just personally but in his character of Lily Savage.
The stories you hear him tell on television, are true (if slightly exaggerated for effect) they are so beautifully told in the book, that you feel you are with Paul as he wrote this.
So many `famous' people try and tell their story in one book, but I feel Paul has only really touched the tip of the iceberg I hope there is a sequel.......please Paul write another.....
If you pick up this book thinking you are getting sordid wild tales of Paul and his famous friends then you are going to be disappointed, there is not even a mention of Buster!
This is Paul from the beginning to him turning 18. Here he tells the story of his life, growing up in Birkenhead. That small fishing village near Liverpool!! Paul tells brilliantly all the tales of his family and the sorts of tricks that any little boy gets up to when they are 4 or 5, as well as the tricks they get up when they discover girls (and boys!). Experiences of school and work will make you laugh out loud, and his experience with the church and Catholicism is also so philosophical and funny at the same time. What is apparent throughout this book is how all the characters of his life, his mum and her sisters have influenced his later life not just personally but in his character of Lily Savage.
The stories you hear him tell on television, are true (if slightly exaggerated for effect) they are so beautifully told in the book, that you feel you are with Paul as he wrote this.
So many `famous' people try and tell their story in one book, but I feel Paul has only really touched the tip of the iceberg I hope there is a sequel.......please Paul write another.....
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4.6 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Wasn't as funny as I though it would be?
Perhaps it was because I expected more or others had told me I MUST read his books? Michael McIntyre's autobiography was MUCH funnier and a better read. Read more
Published 2 days ago by Mrs. J. Blevin
5.0 out of 5 stars
A wild and wonderful Merseyside memoir of a star-struck teenager on...
I have enjoyed Paul O'Grady as an entertainer and we share a common Merseyside upbringing. I thoroughly enjoyed this - its full of wonderful details of working class life in... Read more
Published 12 days ago by Mr R A Downey
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another great book
Once again another fascinating look at the world of Paul O'Grady told from the heart and filled with laughter and tears
Published 17 days ago by ELAINE KYLE
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent read, lovely man.
Really made me chuckle,went perfect with my bed time cuppa and ginger nuts,would of loved to meet Paul's mum x
Published 26 days ago by alison
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very good price
Got it for a friend who does not have access to a computer. So can't comment on this item sorry
Published 27 days ago by Rich
5.0 out of 5 stars
At my mother`s knee by Paul O`Grady
Excellent book. Well worth reading. Did get a bit repetitive in parts but on the whole I really enjoyed it. Would read another of his books.
Published 28 days ago by ladybyers
5.0 out of 5 stars
Funny
Funny read really enjoyed it good holiday read would recommend it once you have started to read you can't put ut down
Published 1 month ago by barry taylor
5.0 out of 5 stars
At my mothers knee
really enjoyed this book, so much so that i bought the next one too. It's as though you are talking to paul instead of just reading a book.
Published 1 month ago by Susan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful
What a read l laughed out loud at Paul's mam and aunties l was brought up in a 2up 2down in salford and l can relate to the family scene it was a lovely insight to Paul's early... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Lynn Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars
great read
great insight into Paul O grady s upbringing his time before he was famous and a really good read .
Published 1 month ago by amanda george
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