This Much Is True by Miriam Margolyes | Book Review

【 THIS MUCH IS TRUE 】

Abrasively honest and utterly fabulous.

Genre: Memoir, Non-Fiction
Author: Miriam Margolyes
Published: September 2021
Publisher: John Murray
Pages: 448 (paperback)

Oh my, I loved this. Miriam really has a way to say it as it is. She’s such a loveable person and I admire the bravery in how she sets things straight.

There’s nothing more satisfying that having a lovely long memoir from someone with such an impressive and diverse career. I knew some things about Miriam’s acting career, admittedly knowing her most from Harry Potter, but now I realise there is so much more I’ve seen her in as well. Some of my favourites being Mulan, Call the Midwife and Babe.

This is a memoir well worth reading, and if you go the audiobook route like I did, then I think that’s even better. Miriam narrates it herself and hearing her bring her own words to life was something magical.

Naturally, leaning into Miriam’s reputation of being open and honest, this is also a fabulously entertaining memoir for dishing the dirt on other celebrities. And all in a well justified way. If anything, it’s rather changed my own views (or confirmed them) about John Cleese. And I’m glad to hear she’s such a fan of Stephen Fry, because I am too.

I also really loved hearing her thoughts and opinions on other important topics, such as queer identity and the complications of the Israel–Palestine conflict, related to Judaism. I would rank Miriam’s way of explaining and handling these topics just as highly as I rate Stephen Fry’s. And lastly, I thought her way of talking about age and the process of ageing to also be insightful and welcome.

Go get yourself a copy, have read, and have a laugh.