Kailyard Pravda

This is Paterson’s nickname for the Sunday Post, at a time when the couthy family newspaper was an enormous bestseller, based in his home city of Dundee. The Post was, and is, owned by the powerful DC Thomson publishing dynasty, for which Paterson’s father worked; later Don was a DC Thomson trainee sub-editor on the Commando comic, a job he loathed, though he provides a highly detailed and very funny account of its personnel (and shameless recycling of old war-time storylines). This is Paterson’s story of growing up on a scheme in Dundee until the age of 20. In an environment seemingly full of quiet despair, and not much money, religion and music kept him sane - well, almost. He writes movingly about his battle with schizophrenia. We hear about his early encounters with poetry - he sat down with a book and taught himself the basic principles of the craft - but there’s not a lot about Paterson the poet to be found here. There’s more about his love of guitar. Playing live restored some mental stability. This isn’t a misery memoir, though at times perhaps veers towards it - it’s too funny to qualify as one. The footnotes contain some of the best material. A highlight is Paterson’s description of the Scottish culinary delicacy tablet - less a sweet, he says, than an ‘alchemical procedure’. Maybe there’s a bit too much about obscure guitarists - and you can bet that Paterson doesn’t have much time, if any, for your mainstream musical tastes and favourite songs. There’s some polemic or at least political rumination - but mostly it’s funny and well-argued. This is a wonderful memoir - a portrait of the poet as a young man. Give it a listen now!

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Thoughtful and engaging

Great story, well told. Don is an engaging writer who has a lyrical flair. His recounting of stories from his childhood is in part hilarious and sad at the same time. He recalls his mental breakdown in dark, desperate detail, but the tone of the book is always uplifting and positive; this is accentuated by Don reading the book himself without a shred of self-pity.

I didn't enjoy all the chapters on music as much as the rest but there is much to enjoy.

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Against my will - I enjoyed this

I love his poetry and his amazing book The Poem, but there's something about Don Paterson that's hard to like. He's a poetic genius, but has no grace about being that genius. Not that he's aloof - just gritty and difficult to feel empathy for. And so I felt all these things when I began listening to the book. But once started, I didn't want it to end. There is an abundance of beauty, wit, and almost breathtaking fun in the footnotes alone. The book itself is perfectly written, with a poet's ear for language and a musician's dexterity. Much of the subject matter is dark - but there was much in there that brought back dark episodes in my own life, and the book made me feel satisfied about accessing my own feelings. Nice book, well read, of course...

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A reminder of wonderful childhood memories

This listen had me laughing out loud whilst walking my dogs. It reminded me of the child-like logic friends and I applied to events and experiences we had and that I had long forgotten. A delightful read.

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Magical.

Just so very, very wondrous.
Thanks so much, Don Paterson. I’m restored to sanity for a while.

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Brilliant wry writing

Unlike many audiobooks read by their authors this is greatly enhanced by Don’s laconic, self-deprecating narration.

A knowledge of Dundee further enhances the work, but is not necessary.

bravo!

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Superb

Brilliantly performed, funny, sad, wise, honest and open account of growing up in Dundee. I really loved this and didn’t realise before listening that the writer was at the same primary school as me at the same time and that much of it would be based in the same area that I grew up in. The references to Snouter, cribbie and Granny brought it all back. The much-feared depute headmaster was called ‘Snouter’ because a wasp landed on his nose as he conducted the morning ritual of getting us lined-up children into the school or so the legend went. The personal memories added a special resonance for me but I would have enjoyed this story and performance just as much without them. Very much looking forward to the next book.

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A joy.

The footnotes were my favourite bit of an absorbing and at times hilarious listen. Roll on vol 2 ( everhopeful )

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