Pour Me: A Life

I bought this book in 2016 as I thought it would help me gain an insight into my dear son’s alcoholism. The excruciating pain and torment of that period meant that it was late-2024 before I stumped up the courage to read it. For me it was the most moving book I have ever read. Gill’s eloquence allied to the rawness of his story captures exactly what alcoholism is. Others have tried but Gill nails it. His spiritual and philosophical insights are a delight as, obviously, is the sheer quality of his prose. Gill is also hilariously funny. On page 197 he recounts an innuendo-laden conversation between his fellow Tatler writers about a generously-hung acquaintance that had me in stitches. Having reached the age of 63 one realises how cruel it was for Adrian to be taken from us at only 62. He had so much more to offer this world. However, I want to avoid finishing on a sombre note. I absolutely loved this book so much so that it led me to craft my first ever book review! Moreover, it has created an urgent imperative to read all his other books.

Prior to reading this book I had not been a fan of AA Gill, always thought he was an over opinionated verbose prat. However, after reading this well written book I have adjusted my analysis of the man. He gives a thoroughly honest, indeed on occasions humorous account of his life, which is a good read. Given his acute dyslexia and life experiences he did well. Certainly worth a read. RIP A.A.G.

AA Gill always impressed me with his prose whilst alive and its a shame we will no longer be able to slave over his acerbic wit and insights but this is a brilliant read that covers a period in his life where even if it was a common theme through out he has chosen to allow us to view it in its rawest form. Genuinely laugh out loud moments punctuated by aching sadness and self reflection, i thoroughly enjoyed this and feel a little privileged to have been invited into Gills life during what was a very turbulent period on the surface and a hurricane of addiction and insecurity beneath that surface. A real gem of a book, whether you knew of the man before this or just fancy a look into aspects of humanity and pain that we probably all share combined with wit and love then this is a top notch read. AA Gill we salute you. Five Stars.

Billed as a book on recovery and addiction, Pour Me is really an autobiography centred on the "fold" in Gill's life where he gave up the demon drink and the demon drugs. In aiming to recapture a decade or so's lost time, the author instead provides the essential context for the life that was to follow. Whilst writing the book, Gill was clearly very aware of his mortality, having been diagnosed with the “full English” of cancers that would kill him before many of us were able to finish the book. The result is not a maudlin recollection but rather a celebration of a life well spent, and decisively reconfigured after the dark drinking days which open the history but do not dominate it. In telling us the story, Gill jumps from school, to home, to work, to rehab and back. More like Slaughter House Five than a traditional biography. The time traveller can see all history at once, as per Vonnegut, and what he sees is that that redemption is an altered awareness of what is important and, as per Emerson, or whoever said it, life is a journey not a destination. The deepest despairs before Gill finally gives up the drink, and the circling of the drain which lead up to it, are mirrored almost exactly with the accession through career and family to the fine appreciation of meaning. The well connected, celebrity status of later years are equally offset by the troubled, lonely and meandering early years. As a reader, you're with him all the way. The author at times alludes to what might have caused his alcoholism. Was it rejection, loss, his almost ironic dyslexia, a precursor to his fabulous prose, or even, almost as footnote in the final chapter, an inability to cope with boredom? If there is one thing his later life never is, it is boring. Gill vividly captures the variety and excitement of the major events in his life, but also the minor moments of kindness and intimacy which in the end, lead him to reflect on a life well lived. A masterclass in writing, and a riveting description of a truly fascinating life.

I have always enjoyed Gill's columns and this piece is written in a lively journalistic style with many a pleasing turn of phrase, if a bit self-consciously wordy. He likes to throw in the odd obscure adjective to remind us he is no ordinary hack. Gill doesn't find ordinary people very interesting either and, despite his dissolute youth, managed to establish a nice media career which I am sure had nothing to do with his TV producer and actor parents. Its always entertaining to observe a huge ego making a massive effort to come across as a bit whacky and self-effacing.

The quality of AA Gill’s writing is close to Shakespeare…..I am in awe of his Polymathic mastery of a range of topics .This book is a Masterclass and gives Us the privilege of looking deeply into the mind if a great intellect

I've always enjoyed A.A.Gill's writing - his masterful use of language, his humour and biting wit. In this memoir, A. A. Gill's vulnerability comes through with aching honesty and acute perception, overriding the sometimes cruel, acerbic writing that is a hallmark of some of his journalistic work. His mastery of the english language is used with joy and exuberance, evoking people, place and time in 'technicolor' clarity. Being of the same era, as well an art student in London during the same period, I was able to personally relate to a large chunk of his memoir which conjured up those student years brilliantly for me. I loved this book. The virtuosity of his prose has, for me, an almost poetic clarity, and I found his honesty and vulnerability deeply moving. I'll be reading it again shortly!

All good

An incredibly honest account of an utterly dissolute youth which very thankfully was saved through Alcoholics Anonymous, to whom the book is dedicated. The author then went on to be a brilliant reporter inspite of suffering from severe dyslexia. Absolutely amazing!

This erudite memoir by Adrian Gill came as a complete surprise to me -- not because I "know" him, but because I could never imagine that here was the real person behind the acerbic wit of his food reviews and in other pieces I've read. His dyslexia (which obviously impacted on his life in many ways) is hard to comprehend, because I have never, or seldom, come across such an erudite wordsmith. I confess that, with English as my second language, I came across sentences I simply did not understand fully! The memoir is touching in places, very funny in others, but I could have done without the instructive speeches on certain subjects: the man has many interests and when he's interested in something, he seems to learn all about it and tugs at it like a dog a bone. Before reading this book I had no idea of his battle against alcoholism and drugs, and I admire him for his painfully truthful account of that time in his life and then overcoming it. We hear a lot about his father, but his mother (who didn't want to be in the story) doesn't feature often -- a pity: I would have loved to know more about her. Adrian Gill is a creature cut from a different cloth than others -- a trait I always enjoy among a world of rather boring and ordinary people. Yet below the surface of his tale, told with amazing eloquence and intelligence, I sense a certain loneliness, reminiscent of the true anchorite. But with AA Gill you can never be sure of anything, and I might be wrong.