The Little Book of Miriam

by Miriam Margolyes

From ARNIE to DOLLY, BLACKADDER to SCORSESE; GRAHAM NORTON to HARRY POTTER; the VAGINA MONOLOGUES to ZOOM, welcome back to the irrepressible and unstoppable world of Miriam Margolyes.

Packed with her wit, wisdom and unfiltered stories, The Little Book of Miriam is a memory palace of Miriam's extraordinary life's standout moments, opinions and conclusions. Never forget that this is a woman who knocked back WARREN BEATTY, played to an audience of TWO THOUSAND NAKED LESBIANS, injected sex into the CADBURY'S CARAMEL BUNNY and was VOGUE'S COVER STAR AGED 83. Miriam is always full of surprises and this book is too.

Deliciously dip-in-able, thought-provoking and mirth-inducing, elegantly designed and always interesting -- whether sharing daring declarations, behind-the-scenes antics or talking about the indignities of ageing, this is a book as unique and extraordinary as Miriam herself.

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Memoir, Biography, Comedy, Humor

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 11, 2025

About the author

Born in Oxford, England in 1941 and educated at Newnham College, Cambridge, Miriam Margolyes is a veteran of stage and screen, an award-winning actress who achieved success on both sides of the Atlantic. Winner of the BAFTA Best Supporting Actress award in 1993 for The Age of Innocence, she also received Best Supporting Actress at the 1989 LA Critics Circle Awards for her role in Little Dorrit and a Sony Radio Award for Best Actress in 1993 for her unabridged recording of ‘Oliver Twist’. She was the voice of the Matchmaker in Mulan & Fly, the mother dog, in Babe.

Her voice work has been internationally acclaimed & she is regarded as the most accomplished female voice in Britain: she has recorded many audio books including Oliver Twist, Great Expectations, Alice in Wonderland & Alice Through the Looking-Glass, Matilda, Pinnocchio, The Worst Witch series, The Queen & I (one of the best-selling audio books in the world) The Little White Horse, The Sea, Troy & Wise Child ).

Reviews

[Jo Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

She never disappoints, my friend, Miriam (we’re friends now, she told me so at the end of the book) sharp as a tack, hilariously funny, startlingly honest and I think I’d go as far as to say we should all be a bit more Miriam, let her tell you how in this little book of life skills!

Beautifully narrated by the woman herself.

All the stars 🌟
#Jorecommends

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting and funny book is the little book of Miriam

[Chanel Chapters · Rating 5 out of 5]

No filter. No apologies. So many handjobs…back to back 💦

4.5

[Jessica Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audible book

Miriam will forever be an icon.

Hilarious, rude and political… a woman after my own heart!

My second audible book that I’ve listened to and I throughly enjoyed it 😊

[Ian D · Rating 4 out of 5]

A for Arsehole - D for Dickens - F for Fart - J for Jew - L for Lesbian - M for Miriam - N for Naughty.
Κυρίως N for Naughty!

Ένα ασυγκράτητο, αθυρόστομο και απίστευτα γοητευτικό αλφαβητάρι ζωής, όπου κάθε γράμμα γίνεται αφορμή για μια ιστορία, μια καλοζυγισμένη βρισιά ή μια συγκινητική εξομολόγηση, δια χειρός μιας γυναίκας που έζησε τα πάντα στον υπερθετικό. Η Miriam Margolyes δεν γράφει για να σε εντυπωσιάσει. Γράφει για να γελάσεις, να κοκκινίσεις και κάπου κάπου να πεις μα είναι δυνατόν; Και φυσικά είναι.

Αναπολογητικά ειλικρινές, σκανδαλιάρικο και απροσδόκητα τρυφερό, δεν είναι ένα βιβλίο για όλους. Ευτυχώς.
Because N is also for No Regrets.

[Katie Loves Kitty cats · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love, love, love Miriam & have sat in the audience at one of her book tours but I felt this book was a rehash of stories and anecdotes from her previous two books. Best to listen to her reading this as an audiobook

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 / 4.75 ⭐️

Usually not an audiobook girly but I highly recommend reading this as an audiobook!

Hilariously funny but sometimes hard to follow due to the alphabetical nature of the book as opposed to linear.

This is the first of Miriam’s books I’ve actually read although I have been a fan of her, her manner, acting and political stance for sometime! Very interested in reading the two books she has previously published now!!

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love her, or hate her, a book that ends with a cake recipe for my favourite cake gets 5 stars! I agree that life is about cake so long as it’s homemade with love.

[Georgina Bullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

she’s a legend

[Jasmine]

Definitely recommend this as an audiobook!

Lots of laughs were had, and I just HAD to replay certain sections to friends - whether this be because of Miriam’s humour or wise words.

I appreciated the discussion regarding global politics and international affairs; it was refreshing to hear such honest opinions.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and snippets of your life!

P.S. thank you for the cake recipe, George.

[Di · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a funny book, written just the way she speaks. It was great just browsing a few pages each day over the month. There were many laugh out loud moments, things about her I never knew and lots of things you can contemplate over.

I’ve always loved Miriam and this didn’t disappoint.
Happy Reading 🩷📚🩷

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Miriam and her past books were very enjoyable. This one relies far too much on her proving how shocking she can be. I have no problem with Miriam's honesty about the things she has done but it is no longer shocking to tell us over and over how many times you have pleasured men. Not a prude, but don't enjoy reading the same thing over and over again and finding it shocking. Aside from that aspect of the book, it was a fun read. If you choose to read it, just be prepared to hear the same thing over and over again.

[Mikayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sharp, self aware riot from start to finish. The Little Book of Miriam blends absurdity, petty brilliance, and chaotic charm into a narrative that is ridiculous and sincere. Listening to the audiobook, read by Miriam herself, amplifies the humor, her delivery leans into every outrageous beat and makes the already hilarious Escobar saga even funnier. What could've been a simple saga, becomes an utterly hysterical and wonderful read just by Miriam using her voice.

Thanks Miriam for another corker.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and some definite laugh out loud moments. I listened to it as an audiobook and I think hearing it read by the author gives it an extra layer of enjoyment.
This book covers a broad spectrum of topics, some of which are quite rude and some quite political.

[Mia Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

very cute, i love miriam

[Coral · Rating 5 out of 5]

All hail Queen Miriam! 💕

[Tracy Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glorious book, plenty of interesting and laugh out loud stories

[Karen Gallaher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, heartwarming and wise words. Pay heed!

[Erin Hamill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miriam never disappoints. An honest, witty icon with such fascinating (and of course, unfiltered) tales of her life and career. The book was great to read front to back but its alphabetic structure also allows for a good coffee table book. I look forward to dipping in and out of the stories again!

[Hayley Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

classic miriam. dependably honest, bold, fascinating and effortlessly funny. she’s an icon, she’s a legend, and she’s always the moment.

[Elin Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely hilarious while also touching on and acknowledging shit things going on in the world - really loved it

[Evelyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

You cannot but adore Miriam, made me laugh out loud 🙂🥰

[hollie dowsett · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was so much fun, my absolute favourite person in the world

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Kerrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I decided to read this book after hearing the hilariously unbelievable snippet on the Graham Norton show, and thought it'd go down a treat to hear Miriam read it herself. I didn't quite realise the dictionary format of the book until I began listening. Unfortunately the format doesn't lend itself well to an audiobook, despite the wonderful performances she gave within.
All the same, it was a delightful read and insight into her life, just probably better suited to print.

[Karen Watts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Myriam is funny in her delivery and I missed this reading the book. Have since read reviews and agree it woyld be great as an audio book.

[Read by Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

i could honestly sit and listen to miriam all day everyday with her stories and her takes on life

[Carl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Funny Little Gem This One!


Listened to on Audible, there's no better way as Miriam is the narrator!

Miriam sold me this book when she revealed one of the many little stories in her life on the Graham Norton Show, yes, THAT one! Absolutely hilarious, I just had to buy this.

I haven't got her other 2 books although I adore Miriam, it's just that I've probably heard most of her life story on the tonnes of podcast interviews I've listened to of her talking about her amazing life. And of course her amazing TV series' of her travels.

But this book i guessed was going to reveal lots of the unknown bits, it was all these funny things I wanted to know about and I also couldn't resist its format, just a long list of everything!

The chunk of it is really funny stuff but there's also some serious stuff. I don't agree with some of her political views, but i appreciate them and respect her explanations of them. Me personally, i am a UK Trump supporter and always have been.

I could always tell that Miriam plans to get a swear word in all of her interviews for comedic and shock value with real context and she always delivers. Well she really gets her words out in this book which i realise is for the same reasons but she really wants to make a point that she swears a lot and loves us to know that!

But it always sounds great from her and she does actually admit enjoying swearing and that it is always carefully planned before it's blurted out.

This book is brilliant, i enjoyed every little bit of it and THAT story will always be the most hilarious one for me haha!

I've so much respect for Miriam, there's nobody like her, an absolute treasure.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly I just want to say. Goodreads, the hardcover edition is very much published in Australia, I’m literally holding it in my hand right now…

Anyways, I’ve never consumed any written work of Miriam’s before, but I saw it in the bookstore and thought why not. So it came home with me.

I liked that it was alphabetical, but it jumped all over her timeline, that I found it confusing at times. I also didn’t need to know how much dick she’s sucked over her life. From reading other reviews, it appears that things are repeated from other published stories, or rehashed.

I’m not mad that I purchased this. It was light, quick and enjoyable for the vast majority.

My favourite entry is; Trust

‘Never trust anyone until hair grows in the palm of their hand,’ my great-grandmother used to say. As we all know, hair never grows in the palm of your hand. It’s a shocking lesson to teach a child, and sadly it is one that I have accepted. I trust everyone until they let me down, and then I never trust them again. But i don’t close myself off from people and I never have.

This one just really resonated with me. And tbh I feel the same way.

Oh there is a cake recipe in the back of the book that I am keen to try out!!

It felt harsh to rate this less than four stars, but it’s also not more than four stars. Ya feel?

:)

[Sophie Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miriam Margolyes is back with another memoir-style read, this time taking us through the alphabet of her life. Each letter brings a short anecdote, sharp humour and those brilliantly frank opinions she’s known for.

What I liked:
✅ Bitesize chapters that are easy to dip in and out of
✅ Fun, lively stories
✅ A good mix of personal moments, career highlights and reflections

What I didn’t like:
❌ If you’ve read her previous memoirs, some parts will feel a bit familiar
❌ Slightly repetitive

This book does exactly what it promises. It’s Miriam’s life, thoughts and career wrapped into a compact, very readable format. I enjoyed how accessible it was, and the balance between acting anecdotes, personal insights and her take on current events. I’ve always liked her as an actor, but didn’t know much about her beyond that.

By the end, I came away with a real sense of respect for her. She’s grounded, entertaining and knows how to tell a great story. It’s a brilliant in-between read, the perfect palate cleanser. Just be warned there are a few repetitious sections to do with pleasuring men which could have been trimmed down a little.

That said, it won’t be for everyone. It’s structured more like a memoir in dictionary form than a traditional narrative, so it’s best enjoyed in small bursts and doesn’t need to be read in order.

But for what it set out to be, I really enjoyed it.