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The Necessary Aptitude
- Narrated by: Pam Ayres
- Length: 12 hrs and 33 mins
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The Necessary Aptitude
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Summary
‘I never once attended a Sunday morning church service in Stanford. There was always the feeling that they weren’t aimed at families like ours.’
Pam Ayres was the sixth child in a hard-up family who lived in a council house, her parents’ 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, and for a social life she had the local ‘hop’. 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.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Vivienne Moon
- 02-09-23
Such a lovely nostalgic listen
I really enjoyed Pam’s book. We grew up about the same time a she reminded me of some ancient memories of my own childhood. You can hear the laughter in her voice. Thanks Pam, I’m sorry I’ve finished it.
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- Helen D.
- 14-08-22
Relaxing and funny
Enchanting funny account of Pam passage to finding poetry. Well written and well read. Thanks
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- Kim Underwood
- 23-05-19
so good
I absolutely loved this book, it has charm and laughs in every chapter. I'd recommended it
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- melisa
- 21-09-14
Unputdownable!! Who knew!?
Where to start - the brilliantly written, hilarious chapters from her life were bitter sweet in places, utterly absorbing, and so succinctly and pithily described I was laughing out loud or caught up short when a poignant moment catches you off guard. Utterly fascinating - from her memorable childhood (cider with Rosie in Stamford!) to her WRAF travels and her growing cultural 'enlightenment' - I will look at Pam Ayres with fresh eyes after this! It also has to be pointed out that her reading is brilliant - she builds up the laughs and revisits the wonderful vignettes and memorable characters from her life with real pathos and feeling. Highly recommended - uplifting, beautifully and wittily written and read.
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- Alison Lancaster
- 15-01-19
PURE GENIUS
I loved her honesty, her accent, her humour, she is a breath of fresh air a one off.
We have seen her twice on stage and she is just magic, we laughed so much our sides ached.
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- Amazon Customer Bob Sears
- 01-06-22
more than I expected
excellent pace through out read by Pam Eyres. a great sense of humour, humility and love for people shines in the whole story.
loved it
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- wim booth
- 03-12-22
Just wonderful
I’ve read this and listened to it on audible twice. You feel like you’re having a chat with the author, and she is just telling you gorgeous stories. It makes me laugh out loud in the car, and also weep when cooking in the kitchen. I love this book. It makes you feel like you could do anything. Thanks Pam!
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- DEM Ashley
- 17-03-17
Absolutely Brilliant
I have read many books, and have only recently started to use audio. This is one of the very best, I have loved listening to Pam's voice as she tells the incredibly interesting story of her life. Thank you.
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- fred coombes
- 03-02-18
Yes
Pam Ayres was a guilty pleasure, as a schoolboy. love her accent and her honesty.
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- Lizzie
- 16-12-18
Who knew!
I enjoyed this audiobook so much. I've loved Pam from seeing her on Op knocks when I was little. Who knew what a fascinating life she's had and from humble beginnings. Definitely worth a listen. I love her even more now!
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