Review: How to Make Gravy by Paul Kelly

Beloved Australian singer/songwriter Paul Kelly takes his songs, arranges them in alphabetical order and uses them as a basis for a truly unique memoir. And unsurprisingly he names it after what is, for many, the most beloved Paul Kelly song of all, How to Make Gravy.

This was a truly engaging read. Rather than being a memoir with a linear timeline, Kelly does what he does best, allowing his songs to shape the narrative. Consequently, we as the reader learns the stories behind the songs, more and more is revealed about Kelly's life and the things that inspires his music, whether it be stories that he has heard, life on the road, his family and friends or the challenge of coming up with a film soundtrack. Not all aspects of his life are pretty but I really appreciated the humble way Kelly told his story as he takes the reader into his confidence and shows empathy for the people around him. I found myself reading this one over a couple of weeks, carrying it in my bag and snatching up a few pages when I had a free moment. And I often found myself stopping and seeing if I could find the songs on YouTube. 

Highly recommended.

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