The Little Book of Miriam: THE NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER

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, Humor

320 pages, Hardcover

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

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting and funny book is the little book of Miriam

[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

[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!!

[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

[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 🩷📚🩷

[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.

[Mia Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

very cute, i love miriam

[Coral · Rating 5 out of 5]

All hail Queen Miriam! 💕

[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

[hollie dowsett · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[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.

[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.

[Michelle B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would give this incredible book a ten if allowed. poignant, honest, genuine, hilarious, irreverent. I see myself visiting this book again and again.
Note, the first time you enjoy it, it must be the audio book read by Miriam herself.
Thank you Miriam ❤️

[Jack Jarvis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Classic Miriam

[Evelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Memories, musings, thoughts and anecdotes.

If you like Miriam then you’ll enjoy this - I did!

[Ann Owen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Curate's Egg


Love Miriam, but too many reiterations here of material already familiar from e.g.Graham Norton. So as suggested above, good in parts...

[Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love her 🫶

[Dylan Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read all of her books and they never disappoint! A refreshing point of view of the issues we are seeing in 2025

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish I listened to the audiobook of this instead of reading it. The book was hilarious of course but listening to it would have made it even better!

[Phoebe Gillespie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened via audiobook. For a lesbian she’s got many stories to tell about the male appendage

[maisie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny, but also very similar to her last books. If you’ve seen one you’ve seen them all kinda vibes, but told slightly differently so worth every second of reading!!!

[Charlotte Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️

Fun, funny and so unapologetically Miriam - I love her.

The a-z format was not for me.

[Graham Sillars · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect! Miriam is most definitely a national trinket (her own words!)

An A to Z of all things Miriam.

Thoroughly enjoyable and lots of fun.

[Lynn Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miriam from A to Z! Hilarious and insightful!

[Alix · Rating 5 out of 5]

nothing funnier than listening to miriam talking about “creaming” her knickers