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bookishwelshie's review against another edition
3.0
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
candis76's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
1outside's review against another edition
4.0
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.
coops456's review against another edition
4.0
Volume 2 of O'Grady's autobiography. Read volume 1 - [b:At My Mother's Knee|4876759|At My Mother's Knee|Paul O'Grady|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1267002641s/4876759.jpg|4942112] - 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.