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The Necessary Aptitude: A Memoir
An eagerly-awaited country childhood memoir by one of Britain's most-loved personalities.
Pam Ayres was the sixth child in a hard-up family who lived in a council house, her parent's generation were harrowed by the war. Yet they lived by the green in the village of Stanford in the Vale, where everything you needed was within walking distance and the sound of motorcars was rarely heard. Then reaching her teens, Pam realised how few opportunities she had. At fifteen she started working for the civil service. Pam knew she had to reach out for more, and sought it first in the WRAF. But it was some time before she discovered the unique talent that would make her one of Britain's best-loved comics. Containing Pam's much-loved combination of humour and poignancy, The Necessary Aptitude is a beautifully written memoir of growing up in the country in post-war Berkshire.
Pam Ayres was the sixth child in a hard-up family who lived in a council house, her parent's generation were harrowed by the war. Yet they lived by the green in the village of Stanford in the Vale, where everything you needed was within walking distance and the sound of motorcars was rarely heard. Then reaching her teens, Pam realised how few opportunities she had. At fifteen she started working for the civil service. Pam knew she had to reach out for more, and sought it first in the WRAF. But it was some time before she discovered the unique talent that would make her one of Britain's best-loved comics. Containing Pam's much-loved combination of humour and poignancy, The Necessary Aptitude is a beautifully written memoir of growing up in the country in post-war Berkshire.
404 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2011
2 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
About the author
Pam Ayres
83 books39 followersPam Ayres is a poet and published author of children's books. Some of her published credits include Guess Who, Guess What, Piggo and the Fork Lift Truck.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
May 20, 2015
Pam Ayres was in her heyday when I was a teenager - a popular down-to-earth comic and poet. For those of you who don't know her, or fancy a reminder of her lovely kitchen-sink humour, here she is reading one of her poems.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4oyd...
She was always a country girl, even now speaking with her hallmark Berkshire accent, and this book is largely about her childhood. The first half of the book is beautifully and charmingly written, with great observations about family and village life - I defy anyone not to relish it.
At fifteen though she goes off and gets a series of excruciatingly boring jobs, firstly in the civil service and then in the air force....and regrettably we go with her. I would recommend you skip this section of the book, except for the time she spends in Singapore.
On a more positive note - the book interestingly describes the build up of her writing abilities and writing career. It happened very much in small fits and starts, coming to a head in 1975, when she entered a TV show called "Opportunity Knocks", reading one of her poems. The response was phenomenal - the British public loved her. One cannot help but be delighted for her. She is so honest and unassuming, and her work is such an affectionate comment on the lives of ordinary people. And she is, in her over-the-garden-fence, chit-chat fashion, extremely funny.
Except for the boring work bits, (which knock 1.5 stars off this review), I enjoyed the book thoroughly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4oyd...
She was always a country girl, even now speaking with her hallmark Berkshire accent, and this book is largely about her childhood. The first half of the book is beautifully and charmingly written, with great observations about family and village life - I defy anyone not to relish it.
At fifteen though she goes off and gets a series of excruciatingly boring jobs, firstly in the civil service and then in the air force....and regrettably we go with her. I would recommend you skip this section of the book, except for the time she spends in Singapore.
On a more positive note - the book interestingly describes the build up of her writing abilities and writing career. It happened very much in small fits and starts, coming to a head in 1975, when she entered a TV show called "Opportunity Knocks", reading one of her poems. The response was phenomenal - the British public loved her. One cannot help but be delighted for her. She is so honest and unassuming, and her work is such an affectionate comment on the lives of ordinary people. And she is, in her over-the-garden-fence, chit-chat fashion, extremely funny.
Except for the boring work bits, (which knock 1.5 stars off this review), I enjoyed the book thoroughly.
April 4, 2014
Very enjoyable first half while Pam wrote about her childhood memories, many of which I shared with her. That part was a great trip down memory lane. And then, like many autobiographies I have read, it was all down hill, just a long list of this happened and then that happened and none of it very interesting at all. A reminder to me why I do not read this genre very often!
August 18, 2013
This was such an enjoyable read, I was sad when it ended. I wanted it to go on for longer. Her memoir reminded me of much of my own childhood except we were not brought up in such a small village.
How well-deserved was her lucky break in 1975 when she could wave goodbye to all those boring soul-destroying jobs she was forced to undertake for want of better opportunities. I admire her tenacity and motivation to continue her further education and gain success in examinations which had not been previously possible because of the sudden and cruel divide of the 11+. She describes so well the drab days of her working life after leaving school at fifteen but this is juxtaposed with wonderful reminiscences of her enviably large, loving and close-knit family all woven together in an engaging beautifully-written memoir of her early years.
I hope she writes a sequel about her outstanding talent and career.
How well-deserved was her lucky break in 1975 when she could wave goodbye to all those boring soul-destroying jobs she was forced to undertake for want of better opportunities. I admire her tenacity and motivation to continue her further education and gain success in examinations which had not been previously possible because of the sudden and cruel divide of the 11+. She describes so well the drab days of her working life after leaving school at fifteen but this is juxtaposed with wonderful reminiscences of her enviably large, loving and close-knit family all woven together in an engaging beautifully-written memoir of her early years.
I hope she writes a sequel about her outstanding talent and career.
April 24, 2016
This was my bedtime reading. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of Pam's early years within a family unit very much like my own. There were many things I related to and much I had forgotten, lovely to be reminded. I enjoyed the last chapters (from 53 onwards) especially. There were truly laugh out loud moments entwined with sadness and nostalgia. A heartwarming read through her struggles to ongoing success!!
February 15, 2022
The Necessary Aptitude is essentially an autobiographical memoir of Ayres’ early years, which makes it pretty interesting even from a historical point of view. That’s because she was born just after the end of the Second World War, and so there’s interesting stuff in here about what small town life was like in the 1950s and 1960s.
Ayres is a gifted raconteur, which is one of the reasons why her stand-up poetry is so absorbing. If you ever get a chance to look at that, I’d recommend it. There’s plenty of the stuff on YouTube, and I have a vinyl or two as well.
But that’s a totally different side of Ayres, and in fact, there’s not really all that much in here about her writing. It’s very much a deep dive into her childhood, but we’re fortunate as readers that that also makes for interesting reading. It’s easily within the top half of the memoirs that I’ve read, even though most of them tackle topics that are more appealing.
There’s also a fair share of tragedy, though perhaps nothing as extreme as you get in stuff like I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings or some of the “drug books” that I’ve read throughout the years. But you have to bear in mind that this was a time when people had a lot less money and medical care was nowhere near as good as it is today.
Mostly, though, I just like the way that Ayres talks about her life. It almost doesn’t matter what the subject matter is, and I even enjoyed reading all of the stuff about horses, even though I’m not particularly interested in it myself. In fact, I’m against horse riding on principle because I’m super vegan.
Overall then, I thought this was a pretty approachable memoir with a lot of good stuff to it, and I think I particularly enjoyed it because I’m already a fan of Ayres and her work. With that said, I don’t think you need to know her to enjoy this one, as long as you’re interested in the post-war period in the UK. Make of that as you will, but do check it out if you’ve read Ayres before and you’d like to know her some more. It’s one of the more readable memoirs.
Ayres is a gifted raconteur, which is one of the reasons why her stand-up poetry is so absorbing. If you ever get a chance to look at that, I’d recommend it. There’s plenty of the stuff on YouTube, and I have a vinyl or two as well.
But that’s a totally different side of Ayres, and in fact, there’s not really all that much in here about her writing. It’s very much a deep dive into her childhood, but we’re fortunate as readers that that also makes for interesting reading. It’s easily within the top half of the memoirs that I’ve read, even though most of them tackle topics that are more appealing.
There’s also a fair share of tragedy, though perhaps nothing as extreme as you get in stuff like I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings or some of the “drug books” that I’ve read throughout the years. But you have to bear in mind that this was a time when people had a lot less money and medical care was nowhere near as good as it is today.
Mostly, though, I just like the way that Ayres talks about her life. It almost doesn’t matter what the subject matter is, and I even enjoyed reading all of the stuff about horses, even though I’m not particularly interested in it myself. In fact, I’m against horse riding on principle because I’m super vegan.
Overall then, I thought this was a pretty approachable memoir with a lot of good stuff to it, and I think I particularly enjoyed it because I’m already a fan of Ayres and her work. With that said, I don’t think you need to know her to enjoy this one, as long as you’re interested in the post-war period in the UK. Make of that as you will, but do check it out if you’ve read Ayres before and you’d like to know her some more. It’s one of the more readable memoirs.
January 20, 2012
The comic poet Pam Ayres was born and raised 5 miles from the small town where I grew up, in Stanford in the Vale, a village that I passed through on the school bus twice a day for seven years, but that is about all we had in common. She had grown up and left before my family moved to the area, and the main thing that this memoir did for me was to show me the huge difference between her childhood and mine.
This showed me how much England changed between the 1950s and the 60s/70s, but it also demonstrates the gulf between town kids and village kids, growing up in a small family or a big family, going to the grammar school or the secondary modern, and whether your route out is university or the armed forces. This memoir is wonderfully evocative of the life that she and her family led, but I recognised almost nothing from my own life except the place names.
Pam Ayres was much loved by most of the people of Britain when she became famous for poems like "Oh I Wish I'd Looked After Me Teeth" read in her exaggerated version of our local accent. However, she was not cool, and it was an embarrassment to have grown up in the area that produced her. I still cringe at the sound of her voice. But this is a lovely book, so I think I can finally forgive her ;-)
This showed me how much England changed between the 1950s and the 60s/70s, but it also demonstrates the gulf between town kids and village kids, growing up in a small family or a big family, going to the grammar school or the secondary modern, and whether your route out is university or the armed forces. This memoir is wonderfully evocative of the life that she and her family led, but I recognised almost nothing from my own life except the place names.
Pam Ayres was much loved by most of the people of Britain when she became famous for poems like "Oh I Wish I'd Looked After Me Teeth" read in her exaggerated version of our local accent. However, she was not cool, and it was an embarrassment to have grown up in the area that produced her. I still cringe at the sound of her voice. But this is a lovely book, so I think I can finally forgive her ;-)
June 18, 2017
This is an enjoyable memoir told in Pam Ayres's deceptively simple style. She is funny and sometimes lyrical. She is unsentimental yet moving as she talks about the life of a poor family in 1950s and 60s Britain, the countryside she grew up in and a lifestyle long gone. I heartily recommend the audio version, read by Pam herself, as this memoir is so much about the place and voice.
If you haven't heard of Pam Ayres, it's probably a sign that you didn't grow up in Britain during the 70s and 80s. She's a poet and storyteller who was featured in the media very often, popular for her funny poems, but more than just a jokester. What stood out about her at the time was that here was someone who talked in a strong 'countrified' accent but was still intelligent. There wasn't much of that in the media at the time.
If you haven't heard of Pam Ayres, it's probably a sign that you didn't grow up in Britain during the 70s and 80s. She's a poet and storyteller who was featured in the media very often, popular for her funny poems, but more than just a jokester. What stood out about her at the time was that here was someone who talked in a strong 'countrified' accent but was still intelligent. There wasn't much of that in the media at the time.
November 19, 2011
I owe a big debt to my friend Paul who teased me about being the new Pam Ayers. I didn't think I was anything LIKE Pam Ayers and he rather galled me if I am being truthful. I gladly forgive him his teasing now as I picked up this book as a result of it!
As someone recently asked to take up the role of writer reading this book now was perfect timing. Pam weaves a lovely tale that inspires.
Recommend!
As someone recently asked to take up the role of writer reading this book now was perfect timing. Pam weaves a lovely tale that inspires.
Recommend!
February 12, 2016
There can’t be many people, at least in the UK who have not heard one of Pam Ayres poems, even if, unlikely as it might be, they haven’t heard of Pam herself. She has been performing her poems around the UK and abroad for more than 30 years now. The Necessary Aptitude, was a new venture for Pam. It is telling her own story in her own words from her early memories, until her writing and performing career enabled he to give up the ‘day job’.
It covers her frustrations in various office jobs, which I suspect many who have held some kind of dead or boring desk job at some time might sympathise with. Interspersed in the unsatisfying desk jobs, we hear about her bumpy but apparently satisfying stint in the Royal Air Force and a very short lived try at working for Butlins.
In the wrong hands, some of Pam’s reminiscences, had they been written by someone else with a similar history, could easily have seemed boring and mundane. Pam brings to the memories her warmth and humour, that is so evident when you see her perform her poetry. The poems often seem to me to include keen and perceptive insights into life’s events. The same seems to be equally true of the thoughts and memories she has shared in her fine memoir. It couldn’t escape even the most cynical, jaded reader just how much her family means to her, not just her own family but parents and siblings too, who clearly all played a major part in he life.
When I write my reviews, of which more can be found here from before I discovered Goodreads , it has been my practice to include a brief quote for the book. I have decided not to do so on this occasion. It would be unfair to anyone who has not read the book, as the excerpt I would have chosen would have been from the end of the last chapter of the book.
It covers her frustrations in various office jobs, which I suspect many who have held some kind of dead or boring desk job at some time might sympathise with. Interspersed in the unsatisfying desk jobs, we hear about her bumpy but apparently satisfying stint in the Royal Air Force and a very short lived try at working for Butlins.
In the wrong hands, some of Pam’s reminiscences, had they been written by someone else with a similar history, could easily have seemed boring and mundane. Pam brings to the memories her warmth and humour, that is so evident when you see her perform her poetry. The poems often seem to me to include keen and perceptive insights into life’s events. The same seems to be equally true of the thoughts and memories she has shared in her fine memoir. It couldn’t escape even the most cynical, jaded reader just how much her family means to her, not just her own family but parents and siblings too, who clearly all played a major part in he life.
When I write my reviews, of which more can be found here from before I discovered Goodreads , it has been my practice to include a brief quote for the book. I have decided not to do so on this occasion. It would be unfair to anyone who has not read the book, as the excerpt I would have chosen would have been from the end of the last chapter of the book.
November 2, 2020
Sometimes you just want to turn up heat, put on an old woolly jumper, listen to a familiar actor's voice in a movie you know and love, whilst drinking a hot chocolate. That was my mindset when I chose to listen to the warm, chocolatey familar voice of Pam Ayres reminding me of yesteryear by recounting her upbringing. What's not to love. She's so sweet, pleasant and fights hard to stifle a giggle that tries to escape her constantly throughout her reminiscences. Suffice to say, I thoroughly enjoyed this memoire.
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July 29, 2013charming autobiog up to her appearance on opportunity knocks in early 70s from childhood in 50's. large family with not much money and no internal plumbing- mum found this very familiar, though Pam Ayres 25 years younger than her. whimsical style, writes prose much like her verse. all about first her daring to leave home and family to join RAF and go to Singapore, then daring to make the break from boring office job via folk clubs to TV appearance.
February 14, 2012
I loved this book. I am a great fan of Pam Ayres. Read her poetry a lot. Saw her last year live on stage, and she was brilliant. I laughed and laughed. She has a wonderful way of reciting her poems, standing and pacing, and waving her arms. She has a lovely country voice.
The book started from the time of her birth up to the time she decided to make a living from her poetry.
The book started from the time of her birth up to the time she decided to make a living from her poetry.
February 20, 2017
An easy book to read and very interesting. I enjoyed reading where Pam Ayres came from and I don't mean just about her home life. This book shows where she came from in terms of her successful career. From boring, unhappy, dissatisfied years in the work force she finally found something that made her happy and that she finally had the Necessary Aptitude for!
March 30, 2015
This was the WORST book I have ever read.
I did read the whole thing - I hate leaving books half finished.
But seriously - THIS BOOK WILL BORE YOU TO TEARS.
This is actually only the second book I have ever read which I have absolutely HATED!
I would absolutely NOT recommend this book to anyone.
I did read the whole thing - I hate leaving books half finished.
But seriously - THIS BOOK WILL BORE YOU TO TEARS.
This is actually only the second book I have ever read which I have absolutely HATED!
I would absolutely NOT recommend this book to anyone.
August 28, 2017
My aunt gave this to me as she had bought it for my grandmother to read. I didn't know much about Pam Ayres as she isn't of my generation, but I did enjoy her appearances I saw from time to time on countdown. Generally not one for biographies, I actually really enjoyed it. I tended to dip in and out and home and enjoyed it as a Sunday read. Really funny!
March 1, 2021
I absolutely loved this. I laughed so much through most of it that I spent a goodly portion of my reading time wiping tears of laughter from my glasses and getting odd looks from passersby when I took it with me to read at the doctor's office and while waiting outside my grandson's school. I really hope she might gift us with a book about the rest of her life to date as well.
December 31, 2011
interesting and delightful biography of the early days of pam ayres life form being born close to the white horse through various jobs to being in the WRAF and then the show opportunity knocks show which brought her fame
December 3, 2012
An enjoyable read. We all know Pam has a way with poetry but here she shows a engaging way with prose.
A few little messages about appreciating what we have but not earth shattering, just nice and gentle
A few little messages about appreciating what we have but not earth shattering, just nice and gentle
January 28, 2021
Loved this book. You can always rely on Pam for saying what she thinks, for weaving a great tale and for loads of humour.
Her family all sound great and I could totally relate to how life was then as I lived through the same childhood years, albeit a bit younger than Pam.
Her family all sound great and I could totally relate to how life was then as I lived through the same childhood years, albeit a bit younger than Pam.
March 3, 2021
I listened to this on Audiobook via the Libby app. I really enjoyed listening to Pam’s own voice telling her own story. She has an amazing memory of detail from her childhood and, with her distinctive use of language and obvious love of words can make the most mundane events sound riveting.
October 24, 2011
A gentle easy read, evoking rural village life in the fifties but without undue sentimentality.
September 16, 2012
An excellent book. Very enjoyable.
September 1, 2012
Really very interesting
October 27, 2012
Pleasant read in Pam's warm, friendly and unique style. I enjoyed the descriptions of life in the early years and how her career took off but skimmed over other parts.
February 8, 2023
Well written with warmth and likeability. Especially good at painting a particular kind of social history. Nevertheless I did get bored in places, even though the chapters are short.
September 14, 2015
Great book, what an amazing life Pam had with the chances she took!
March 18, 2013
Listened on audio book and it was pure joy from start to finish. I love Pam Ayres!!
April 3, 2014
roughly the same age raised in mining village in Ayrshire knew what she was talking about and came across as warm hearted human being with shared found memories of people and places.
May 2, 2016
I have read a lot of autobiographies and this is one of the best - Pam has such a wonderful way with words - and painted every scene with them. Excellent!
December 27, 2015
Gives a good insight into the early life of Pam, she's quite the comedienne!! Definitely a good read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews