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A review by angelofthetardis
This Much Is True by Miriam Margolyes
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
My husband bought me this book from a charity shop, which was very sweet of him but not necessarily his wisest purchase. But, since my latest book club topic is 'autobiography', I figured of I don't read it now I have an excuse, I never will!
I went into this book convinced I'd either be falling about laughing, or it would end up being thrown across the room on multiple occasions, as I am severely conflicted about Miriam Margolyes. On the one hand, I find her forthright, funny and fearless; I have nothing but admiration for her DGAF attitude and her absolute conviction in her own point of view. Indeed, her views on certain subjects do go against what you would expect, but she stands loud and proud and says them anyway! However, at the same time I've heard her say things that just make me think she's just not a very nice person. She seems to have developed the affliction of anybody nowadays that has a zeal for politics; there is no room for nuanced debate - you're either with her or against her. And I don't care how much you loathe someone, wishing them dead on live TV just because they don't share your political views is abhorrent.
In the end, I actually found the majority of the book no more or less interesting than any other celebrity autobiography I've read. Details of childhood and schooling, the university years, and a succession of productions, cast members, auditions and blind luck. Only in this case you got a bit more honesty about the people she didn't like working with, as well as the people she did. If you're reading this book hoping for deeper insights into the making of some of her more well known roles (the nurse in Romeo + Juliet, Lady Whiteadder in Blackadder, or Professor Sprout in Harry Potter, for example), you will be left wanting. Clearly she has a passion for stage acting, and I am slightly jealous that she got to play Yente in 'Fiddler on the Roof' without having to sing a note! I had to make do with singspeak in my school production...
It is a well known fact that the author has no real filter when it comes to swearing, innuendo and general smuttiness escaping her mouth. And while in interviews this is what makes her so hilarious, it doesn't quite come across in the same way through the written word. Be warned; there is a LOT of dirty talk in here. She might be a lesbian and repeatedly states that she has never slept with a man, but let's just say she isn't backwards in coming forwards about her intimate knowledge of male genitalia. I'm not that prudish, but I think these repeated stories actually do her a great disservice and undermine her actual talent (although she would claim that IS one of her talents); it just feels like she used it a lot as her standard bargaining method.
Practically speaking, the writing style is straightforward and relatively easy to follow; she doesn't stick to a strict chronological timeline so you do need to watch out for jumps back and forth. But it's definitely written in her 'voice' - you will hear her reading the lines to you in your head almost immediately. It is a bit light on details in places IMO - if she rook out some of the smut she might have had the words to tell her readers and extra proper story or two! However, even with my preconceptions, I found the book generally an easy read.
Overall, I'm not sure I like her any better after reading this, but I do think I understand her just a little better. Which I guess is the whole point.
I went into this book convinced I'd either be falling about laughing, or it would end up being thrown across the room on multiple occasions, as I am severely conflicted about Miriam Margolyes. On the one hand, I find her forthright, funny and fearless; I have nothing but admiration for her DGAF attitude and her absolute conviction in her own point of view. Indeed, her views on certain subjects do go against what you would expect, but she stands loud and proud and says them anyway! However, at the same time I've heard her say things that just make me think she's just not a very nice person. She seems to have developed the affliction of anybody nowadays that has a zeal for politics; there is no room for nuanced debate - you're either with her or against her. And I don't care how much you loathe someone, wishing them dead on live TV just because they don't share your political views is abhorrent.
In the end, I actually found the majority of the book no more or less interesting than any other celebrity autobiography I've read. Details of childhood and schooling, the university years, and a succession of productions, cast members, auditions and blind luck. Only in this case you got a bit more honesty about the people she didn't like working with, as well as the people she did. If you're reading this book hoping for deeper insights into the making of some of her more well known roles (the nurse in Romeo + Juliet, Lady Whiteadder in Blackadder, or Professor Sprout in Harry Potter, for example), you will be left wanting. Clearly she has a passion for stage acting, and I am slightly jealous that she got to play Yente in 'Fiddler on the Roof' without having to sing a note! I had to make do with singspeak in my school production...
It is a well known fact that the author has no real filter when it comes to swearing, innuendo and general smuttiness escaping her mouth. And while in interviews this is what makes her so hilarious, it doesn't quite come across in the same way through the written word. Be warned; there is a LOT of dirty talk in here. She might be a lesbian and repeatedly states that she has never slept with a man, but let's just say she isn't backwards in coming forwards about her intimate knowledge of male genitalia. I'm not that prudish, but I think these repeated stories actually do her a great disservice and undermine her actual talent (although she would claim that IS one of her talents); it just feels like she used it a lot as her standard bargaining method.
Practically speaking, the writing style is straightforward and relatively easy to follow; she doesn't stick to a strict chronological timeline so you do need to watch out for jumps back and forth. But it's definitely written in her 'voice' - you will hear her reading the lines to you in your head almost immediately. It is a bit light on details in places IMO - if she rook out some of the smut she might have had the words to tell her readers and extra proper story or two! However, even with my preconceptions, I found the book generally an easy read.
Overall, I'm not sure I like her any better after reading this, but I do think I understand her just a little better. Which I guess is the whole point.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content