... It was with much anticipation and joy then that I received his autobiography - 'At my Mothers knee... and other low joints' as a gift this Christmas past, I set about the three hundred and forty pages with relish to find out about the life and times of someone who is gradually becoming a national ... Read review
Paul O'Grady is one of Britain's very best loved entertainers. He is known and adored by ... more
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...
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A story of the author's early life in Irish Catholic Birkenhead that started him on the ... more
long and winding road from mischievous altar boy to national treasure. It includes a tale of gossip in the back yard, bragging in the corner shop and slanging matches on the front doorstep.
Paul O'Grady is one of Britain's very best loved entertainers. He is known and adored by ... more
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.
Postage & Packaging:refer to website Availability:in stock
Paul O'Grady, apart from being one of Britain's best loved entertainers, is a classic ... more
example of reinvention, asAt My Mothers Kneedemonstrates. 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 Jointsis 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
Postage & Packaging:£2.75 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Paul O'Grady, apart from being one of Britain's best loved entertainers, is a classic ... more
example of reinvention, as At My Mothers 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
Postage & Packaging:£2.75 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: Warmly written, Engaging, Thorough Disadvantages: Only covers Paul's childhood and teen years
...seemed to resent him, annoyed at this new intrusion diverting their parents time and attention. As such Paul didn't seem to bond too closely with them, preferring to spend his time in the company of the predominantly female members of his immediate family. Particular fondness was lavished upon his dear Aunty Chrissie, a woman of immense beauty and a temper to strike fear into anyone that crossed her or wronged those she cared about. She was the pride ... ...than most as she sat at the kitchen table, fag in hand, religiously applying her war paint. From his early days remembering with fondness sitting on his Mothers knee every lunchtime for 'watch with Mother' to his schooling under the strict disciplinarians known as 'the Christian Brothers' at the local Catholic school, and his search for a job and career path that would sate his appetite for a challenge and give him some direction in life, this book ... more
Paul O'Grady is one of the few personalities I really enjoy watching on British TV; from the acerbic wit of the blonde bombsite that is Lily Savage, to the affable persona that exudes warmth on his tea time chat show. This was a man I knew had led a colourful and rich life, a life of which I wanted to read more. It was with much anticipation and joy then that I received his autobiography - 'At my Mothers knee... and other low joints' as a gift this Christmas past, I set about the three hundred and forty pages with relish to find out about the life and times of someone who is gradually becoming a national treasure.
Paul James O'Grady arrived in this world kicking and screaming on a storm ravaged night in 1955. The youngest of three children, his conception and subsequent birth came as quite a shock to his parents Paddy and Molly, who had thought their days of childcare were behind them after the arrival of Paul's older Brother some thirteen years before. His siblings seemed to resent him, annoyed at this new intrusion diverting their parents time and attention. As such Paul didn't seem to bond too closely with them, preferring to spend his time in the company of the predominantly female members of his immediate family. Particular fondness was lavished upon his dear Aunty Chrissie, a woman of immense beauty and a temper to strike fear into anyone that crossed her or wronged those she cared about. She was the pride of Birkenhead buses; in her perfectly quaffered uniform and immaculate hair and makeup she ruled her bus round with an iron glove as a conductor.
And it seemed Paul gleaned a great deal from this lady, indeed he freely admits that his alter ego - the blonde bombsite that is Lily Savage - was based firmly on the females in his life, with Aunty Chrissie supplying more research material than most as she sat at the kitchen table, fag in hand, religiously applying her war paint. From his early days remembering with fondness sitting on his Mothers knee every lunchtime for 'watch with Mother' to his schooling under the strict disciplinarians known as 'the Christian Brothers' at the local Catholic school, and his search for a job and career path that would sate his appetite for a challenge and give him some direction in life, this book chronicles that journey in a wonderful, sad, joyous and heart-warming way.
Now I'm not usually a fan of autobiographies; I bore easily as they follow a well trodden route of growing up, hitting the big time, discovering drink, drugs and sex, and a bout in some rehab centre for the rich and famous. With this book though it was refreshing to read about a real man, who has lived a real life, surrounded by real people. I could relate to his upbringing, with one parent being strict while the other less so, and the growing pains encountered at school, at home and on the streets. Scraping money to buy records and cool clothes from a paper round, working in bars to immerse himself in the local gay scene in Liverpool, and dodging the brutality of 'the Christian Brothers' at the local school, all richly described. One section worthy of mention that really had me chuckling is when Paul's Mum found a lump of Cannabis Resin in his pocket, what follows is an amazingly funny and warm dialogue, which - it's fair to say - does not go as Paul expects.
A broad smattering of colour photos break up the narrative nicely, family members smile warmly and scenes of Birkenhead life play out to add colour to the words. These are no showbiz type poses; these are real people living real lives captured for prosperity in Kodak form; trips to the beach and countryside, weddings, christenings and get-togethers, times of family harmony, of bygone days.
Nothing other than the full five stars from me then; this book offers a unique and no holds barred look at Paul O'Grady's early life, often demoralizing, occasionally maudlin, but ultimately heart-warming and amusing; this is amongst the best autobiographies I have had the pleasure to read. The characters within are given depth by Paul's words - a cast of rogues and rascals - all bringing colour to an utterly absorbing book. In closing, It is worth mentioning that this book is not a complete history of the man that is Paul O'Grady; those wishing to read about the rise and fall of Lily Savage or Paul's work as a chat show host will be left disappointed; this book is purely focused on the early life of Master O'Grady - from a babe in arms in poverty stricken Birkenhead to a young man leaving school and trying to find his way in the world. I didn't realise this, as the pages went by I started musing that there was an awful lot of his life to squeeze into the last fifty pages or so. Thankfully I have since found out that Paul is hard at work on a second book, no doubt covering the second half of his life, maybe tentatively entitled 'The Savage Years' or 'Travels with Buster'; I for one can't wait to read it.
tractor-boy 24.01.2009 (24.01.2009)
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Review of At My Mother's Knee ... and Other Low Joints: The Autobiography - Paul O'Grady
Advantages: Great insite into Paul's life Disadvantages: He sometimes goes off topic during the early part of the book.
...between him and his girlfriend at the time "Hi Paul, it's Diane, how are you?", "Well my Dad's just died and my Mum's at death's door, i don't think things could possibly get any worse", "Actually they could, I'm pregnant, your going to a father". And that's where it ends.. He starts his story back in Mid-June of 1955 Berkinhead when he was born, but he also talks about the years before he was born, how his mother and Irish father met, the war years ... ...Overall the book was warming, funny and sad at times. It made me imagine how my grandparents must have lived during the 50's and 60's up North (Although a Southerner myself), that typical image of Corrie a few decades ago. A great read, especially for Bio fans. ...
supermumtochloe 22.09.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of At My Mother's Knee ... and Other Low Joints: The Autobiography - Paul O'Grady
Advantages: Very funny and touching in places. Disadvantages: Cannot think of any.
...young, and did not stick at many things. I wondered if this was because he was the baby of the family - his brother and sister were considerably older than him, so left home when he was young. His parents obviously adored him, and he them - the close relationship that he had with his parents and the one that they had with each other is one thing that is apparent throughout the book. His family were obviously a great influence on his life - not just ... ...fact Lily's surname came from his family as his mother's maiden name was Savage.
There are pictures throughout the book - none of the Lily Savage era, as the time span of the book was pre-Lily, but lots of Paul as a youngster and his family.
The end of the book is sad as Paul loses a close member of his family and I cried when I read it. The way Paul has written it is really touching. However, he ends the book with a quip and I was smiling again.
...
jules.34 01.09.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of At My Mother's Knee ... and Other Low Joints: The Autobiography - Paul O'Grady
Advantages: Good understanding, Clearly layded out, Great to read! Disadvantages: none
Genre: Biography
Publisher: Bantam Press
Language: English
Paul O'Grady is a great entertainer, Presenter & Comedian from his time playing Lily Savage to the Paul O'Grady Show.
All round he is a star performer! When starring as Lily Savage on Blankety Blank, the fun and humor of him playing a blonde woman, was absolute entertainment.
I just love watching the Paul O'Grady Show, it's one of the best day time chat shows on T.V. I love a true comedian ... ...This book takes you back along way into his life, what he was like growing up, how his childhood past made him the person he is today. Reading through this title, gives you a feeling of warm and comfort, there were very interesting past activities in his life that i didn't know about, which i found quite inspiring. This autobiography is certainly a must have for all those Lily Savage/Paul O'Grady fans. Even if you are not a fan, this guy is incredibly ...
GavinWRogers 29.01.2009 (15.02.2009)
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Quick review of At My Mother's Knee ... and Other Low Joints: The Autobiography - Paul O'Grady
Mr o'grady should stick to television the book dont tell the whole story.He was better of when he was lilly savage,paul o'grady show is great but things in his book dont add up.I know his had a hard time with his heart attacks but reading some of the things in his book aint true.So please paul have a word with your writer and stick to what you know best.Yours sincerely pickolee. ...
pickolee 29.01.2009
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of At My Mother's Knee ... and Other Low Joints: The Autobiography - Paul O'Grady
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Reviews which might be of interest for "At My Mother's Knee ... and Other Low Joints: The Autobiography - Paul O'Grady"
Advantages: loads of information about Paul's past, hilareous at times, good price Disadvantages: nothing about his current career
?Fill in the missing blank...
The latest autobiography Amy has read is that of (blank) O' Grady?
Did you guess right? If you said 'Paul', then you would be correct! Indeed, I am a lover of celebrity autobiographies, and having finished one, I delved right into the next, being 'At MyMother's Knee...and otherlowjoints', by the TV legend PaulO' Grady. Being an ambitious future-TV Presenter (if you are looking for a TV Presenter then please stop reading, and contact me instead!), I am always keen to read up on their lives. For that reason I was interested to start this! I am also a fan of PaulO' Grady, both in the form of Lily Savage and the man we see 'live at Five on Four'!
This book was released back in September 2008, but it was not until Christmas of that year that I received it. Every time I saw the book in the shop I ...
Product Information for "At My Mother's Knee ... and Other Low Joints: The Autobiography - Paul O'Grady" »
Product details
EAN
9780593059258
Type
Non-Fiction
Genre
Biography
Title
At My Mother's Knee ... and Other Low Joints: The Autobiography
Author
Paul O'Grady
Release Date
18 Sep 2008
ISBN
593059255
Manufacturer's product description
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... About the Author
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