This Much Is True

By: Miriam Margolyes

Narrated by: Miriam Margolyes

Length: 15 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's Summary

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.

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--k 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.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2021 Miriam Margolyes (P)2021 Hodder & Stoughton Limited

Critic Reviews

"There is no one on Earth quite so wonderful." (Stephen Fry) 

Simply Brilliant

Quite simply the funniest, touching, warm and best delivery. Unfortunately I started to listen on a flight and kept bursting out in laughter which is a real pleasure. It also made me cry . A most excellent book that I will treasure and listen too again and again. I am also going to buy the hardback.

A Brilliant Delight

I’ve been a long time admirer of this total gem of an actor but had no idea the amazing life she has lead.

She gives us an astounding view into her history and how she came into herself. Frank honesty around
ups, downs, fears and strengths.

I haven’t listened to a book in ages and this captured me from start to finish. It felt like listening to an old friend.

This is a "must be listened to" book.

Miriam Margolyes, at 80, is as sharp as a tack. Her voice is strong and clear. Her ability to mimic and switch effortlessly into another accent is delightful. She loves to shock and boy ...she succeeded with this listener. But, because of her guilelessness, I found myself just going with it. Funny, sincere and forthright.

Meh

Having seen Miriam on large and small screens I have enjoyed her work and talent. I also saw her and talk shows and found her to be interesting and yes, racy and funny.
I found the book to at times be interesting and enjoyed several chapters about her early life, her political views, and her acting. However I also found too much of the book to be gratuitously pornographic. I think she loves the attention she gets from her shocking language and way too graphic stories. I ended up skipping far too many chapters, more than half the book because they were boring and unnecessary. I should have returned the book early on.

Absolutely brilliant

Thoroughly enjoyable & now that I have finished it, feel like starting from the beginning again!

I love Miriam!

If you love her on Graham Norton, her book is a must! If you have loved Miriam in movies and plays, this is for you. If you are faint of heart, you might have to overlook her use of some words but in my opinion, it just makes her all the more entertaining! Miriam is a delight and I hope to share this planet with her for a long time to come. Bravo Miriam! Congratulations on a wonderful autobiography.

what a hoot!

Meriam Margolres is a name I did not know, except as Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter series. Then as a Seth Meyers' fan I saw her a couple of weeks ago talking about her book. (I hope I put the apostrophe in the right place, Meriam) I was hooked as soon as she opened her mouth. I immediately bought both the Kindle and Audible editions and let her tell her story as I read along. Being from Guam, I was not familiar with many of the British personalities and films she described, but I constantly paused my reading to look them up on line. it was been a delightful two weeks spending time with Meriam and her friends, and I feel as if I've gained a new friend in Meriam, too.

This is a "Must Have" selection if you like Miriam

What makes a truly wonderful selection even better is she reads the selection herself.

Straight from the Heart...No Filter!

A person that I have seen and enjoyed in many television programs but knew little about. Ms. Margolis gives an unabashed tour of her life with wit and honesty that few possess.

Does not disappoint..

Loved it. I have to say, you never disappoint! Very candid and beautifully written!

Frank & Funny

When it comes to Miriam Margoyles I think you know you are going to get the pure unadulterated truth…probably with a heavy dose of humour, charm and “bad language” (I loathe that term!)
This book is frank and entertaining. Miriam starts, as one would expect, at the very beginning and works her way through her life…from Stage to Screen, from home life to University life…to life in general. It never meanders and is always entertaining. She pours scorn on those who have hurt or upset her as well as those who have hurt or upset others. Miriam has been blessed with charm & humour and always uses both to great effect.
If you are a fan of Miriam Margoyles’s work then it’s a must have…if you’re not a fan then it’s probably not for you but I would STILL urge you to give it a listen! Oh and whilst we’re on the subject of listening…I’m sure there are plenty of people out there who would prefer to read a biography rather than listen to it but when the subject is such a wonderful raconteur then I’d definitely suggest the audiobook!

Unabridged in every way!

I never though of myself as a prude, but lordy, Miriam does not hold back.

Her life has been full, and our Miriam was certainly a ‘handful’ even in her youth.

The book is honest, forthright, and a wonderful read, and read wonderfully. Just remember to use your earbuds while listening.

If I was to make a criticism, and I’m loath to do so, I felt the book sort of bobbed about a little bit. But in truth, I would not want a word or nuance changed.

An amazing and talented woman.

One of my favourite audiobooks...

I am half way through listening to Miriam Margolyes reading her wonderful book via Amazon Audible: This Much is True. I couldn't wait until the end to share what an amazing listen this is. It is one of the best audiobook experiences I have had and all the more special for the accompanying PDF with wonderful photographs. It is a rich tapestry of Miriam's life and I highly recommend it. Thank you Miriam for sharing. x

Really enjoy it.

This lady does not sound 80 years old. She is a funny, kind, no nonsense person. She has had a very interesting career and life and is one of the best actresses about today. Enjoyed the gossip not the wind comments but extremely well narrated and well written. I loved it.

Couldn't finish

I really wanted this autobiography to be an incredible listen however I was left feeling underwhelmed. There were definitely some funny moments but this book really could have done with some editing. MM repeats about how she believes she is fat, 'roly poly' etc constantly and it becomes very grating very fast. There is also some language that is outdated and a large part of the book to me seems like snobbery and ranting that did not add to the overall story. I think that this could have been a great book if it was edited and the timeline didn't skip about erratically.

An unpleasant person

Before listening to this audio book I rather liked Miriam Margolyes but now I think she’s a narrow minded rather unpleasant woman who uses bad language to shock. I wish I hadn’t bothered.

Couldn’t finish it

I thought she seemed interesting and that I would enjoy the book, I was wrong, she comes across as a complete snob and she made some strange comments about straight men and non Jewish children. It became an endless loop of stories about being fat, Jewish and a lesbian with a few fart stories thrown in

Lost me

Sadly, this lady was wonderfully entertaining and a thoroughly enjoyable listen: until.
Until, she revealed her care taken not to swear in front of Daniel Radcliffe, as he was a nice Jewish boy, but didn’t care about the other children.
Please.

Why make this divisive?
Why treat people without care if they don’t share your religious heritage?
Why?

Believe the hype!

I have not enjoyed an audiobook as much as I have this one in years - if ever.

By turns heart-warming, heart-breaking and hysterically funny.

I made the "mistake" of listening to this on a bus, headphones and face mask on (still mandatory on public transport in sensible Scotland) and laughed and sniggered throughout my journey.

An excellent biography, very well performed.

Highly recommended.

Love this woman, love this book.

I’m only a few chapters in, and I already know that I’m entertained. This pocket rocket of a woman has filled her 80 years with a as much gusto as 3 women could only strive for.
Brilliance and perfect diction. Such a treat. Mummy would be proud Miriam 👌🏼