The Afterword

Musings on the byways of popular culture

Menu

Navigation

Paolo Hewitt podcast episode.

by 6 Comments

This month’s Diversity is Identity podcast is a very special one. Host Paul Anderson-Walsh interviews Paolo Hewitt about his life in care. It may surprise you that it is a very uplifting, joyous half hour but it didn’t surprise me.

I am lucky enough to call these two close friends – in fact they are two of my favourite people in the world – and this conversation is just what it’s like when we meet up, (when we’re not moaning about our other mutual love, Spurs,) for an evening in an Italian in Notting Hill, every few weeks.

Honestly, do yourself a huge favour and take 30 minutes out of your day to watch it. You won’t regret it.

But We All Shine On by Paolo Hewitt

by 1 Comment

Before I review this book I shall declare an interest. I knew Paolo Hewitt back in the 70’s, not long after he had left Burbank Children’s Home, the setting for this book. He had come to Guildford to meet up with his friend, and by then, my friend, Des. Des has now been my friend for 40 years. I am as close to him as any of my 4 brothers. We have been through good times, bad times and times that were as low, as desperate and as troubled as it gets. So, I am biased. Des is one of the subjects of the book.

I bought the book as soon as it came out. I’ve followed Paolo’s career as a talented writer and Des had been involved in some of the research for this one, so I knew it was coming out. I put it on the top of my book-pile, and left it. And left it. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to start it, wasn’t sure if it would make me feel sorry for my friend. We’re way past that. I know his story, have lived some of it with him. I didn’t think want the book » Continue Reading.