This Much is True

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What to expect

From Blackadder to Call the Midwife, from the Cadbury's Caramel Rabbit to Harry Potter, Miriam Margolyes is the outspoken great aunt (after two sherries) we all wish we had -- this is (at last) her extraordinary life story and it's well worth the wait.

'There is no one on earth quite so wonderful' STEPHEN FRY

Award-winning actor, creator of a myriad of memorable characters from Lady Whiteadder to Professor Sprout, Miriam Margolyes is a national treasure.

Now, at last, at the age of 80, she has finally decided to tell her extraordinary life story. And it's far richer and stranger than any part she's played.

Find out how being conceived in an air-raid gave her curly hair; what pranks led to her being known as the naughtiest girl Oxford High School ever had; how she ended up posing nude for Augustus John aged 17, being sent to Coventry by Monty Python and the Goodies and swearing on University Challenge (she was the first woman to say F*** on TV). This book is packed with unforgettable stories from why Bob Monkhouse was the best (male) kiss she's ever had to being told off by the Queen. With a cast list stretching from Scorsese to Streisand, Leonardo di Caprio to Isaiah Berlin, This Much is True is as warm and honest, as full of life and surprises, as she is.

(P)2021 Hodder & Stoughton Limited

Critics Review

Gleefully outspoken and bursting with hilarious anecdotes, gloriously larger than life . . . I pity every person that is not me right now, drinking in the glory of Margolyes at 80

Observer

Startling, thrillingly outspoken, provocative, potty-mouthed and exhilarating . . . THIS MUCH IS TRUE is never boring. Her personality is so likeable she can only leave you wanting more

Daily Telegraph

Reads like the Wife of Bath’s memoirs

Simon Callow

Wickedly honest . . . When I was reading this book on a train, a stranger asked if I was OK because I was crying with laughter

Guardian

An irreverent, straight-talking, riotous romp through an extraordinary life

Sunday Post

If there is a silver lining to last year’s lockdown, it’s the fact that Miriam Margolyes finally had time to write her life story . . . invigoratingly outspoken . . . gloriously shocking . . . and captures her force-of-nature personality. Buckle up, you’re in for a wild ride

Daily Mirror

Now 80 – and no less outrageous and outspoken, the actress presents vignettes from her life that will induce guffaws as much as gasps

The i

Blisteringly honest and hugely entertaining

Daily Record

Ebullient and bosomy

The Times

Stories galore . . . Miriam Margolyes has a life worth immortalising in print . . . An unapologetic account of a life well lived. As irrepressible as ever, Margolyes’s warmth and wit shines through

Radio Times

There’s so much in the book; each chapter offering a tidbit of information both interesting and hilarious… It’s full of life and vigour, as if you’re conversing with a friend you’ve known for a long time

Irish Examiner

Brilliant stories abound in this memoir… which is honest, poignant and wildly indiscreet.

The Guardian

As compelling, forthright and irrepressible as its author

Choice Magazine

Miriam Margolyes’ autobiography is crass, brash, rude, crude, funny and sad, and as delightful and surprising as Miriam herself

Good Housekeeping

As outrageously entertaining as you’d expect

Daily Express

Potty-mouthed and thrillingly candid, Margolyes’s account of her career from teenage nude
modelling for Augustus John to sexy voiceover work for Ann Summers to playing Harry Potter’s Professor Sprout is a riotous joy

Daily Telegraph

There’s never been a memoir so packed with eye-popping, hilarious and shockingly candid stories.

DAILY MAIL

Unstoppably ebullient and rollicking

THE TIMES

User Reviews

Book 4.5
Narration 4.6
5.0
5.0
Loved your audio book This Much is True Miriam , it was fun and entertaining .
Stoneham 05/08/2022
5.0
5.0
Kieron 23/07/2023
5.0
5.0
stjohnmichael 24/09/2024
5.0
5.0
Tdk 15/12/2022

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5.0
5.0
Fantastic and fun, much like the woman herself! I really enjoyed Margolyesu2019 unapologetic and fascinating account of her life as a Jewish, lesbian, British-Australian actor of the highest caliber.
ARose 19/01/2025
5.0
5.0
hannahpeters 17/01/2024
5.0
5.0
I wasn't really aware of who Miriam was before, but she is a national treasure. Honest and open, she is one of life's gifts to humanity.
bookreaderrbc 17/01/2023
5.0
5.0
Fabulous
samT 29/05/2023
5.0
5.0
Loved this book. Miriam is a delight to listen to and so painfully honest
MandyS66 18/05/2023
5.0
5.0
What a book! If you've watched Miriam on chat shows you probably know what you're going to get from her book.
Wonderful book, no holds barred. She tells it like it is, funny, shocking and moving.
We'll be listening to it again.
Rocketman 28/07/2023
4.0
5.0
Margoyles ! Inimitable fascinating and incorrigible as ever !ud83eudd70 I really enjoyed this ! Away to look through your lists to find Dickens audio books narrated by her ! ud83dude33
Ishbel 26/08/2022
4.0
3.0
rogerocallaghan 21/08/2022
1.0
1.0
Moretti 26/05/2023
5.0
5.0
Absolutely fabulous. Miriam is a joy to listen to and hearing her life story was very worthwhile. I would highly recommend this audio book you will not be disappointed.
caroline 18/03/2022
5.0
5.0
ZLH 14/07/2022

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5.0
5.0
Anne Melrose 19/01/2025
5.0
5.0
What a great book! I enjoyed all of the stories within this book of a life well lived narrated by Miriam herself to really bring them to life!
abby_summer 26/11/2022
1.0
2.0
Couldn't finish thus one! Rather coarse and pretentious.
artyart 03/02/2023
5.0
5.0
Steve1944 26/11/2022
5.0
5.0
Not normally an autobiography reader,listener. Howeverhaving watched a couple of documentaries by MM decided to purchase.This book is funny, tragic in places, and has a lot of truths in it with regards to characters, and topics.
It is excellently narrated by MM, dont think anyone else could have narrated ut, and bought the same amount of humour or sadness to the story being told
Iver all a brilliant book, and well worth the purchase, and YES I would recommend it
Nigel Tansley 06/05/2023
4.0
5.0
A good read and although not intended to be funny still is. Thought it was a longer than it needed to be
Milky 09/03/2023
5.0
5.0
A fantastic listen. I have loved her antics and can't wait for the next dog walk to listen to the next installment of the book.
ginger_bobs 19/12/2022
5.0
5.0
Tim from Bristol 13/02/2022

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