The English excel at obfuscation, says Miriam Margolyes
Miriam Margolyes believes that the "English excel at obfuscation".
Miriam Margolyes doesn't conform to the "English stereotype".
The 85-year-old actress - who has enjoyed success on stage and screen - observed that the "English excel at obfuscation", but she doesn't follow that trend in her own life.
Miriam writes in her new book, Miriam’s Full English: "I believe in telling the truth, even if it’s my truth.
"In this, again, I realise I do not fit the English stereotype. The English excel at obfuscation, you see; they are masters at avoiding the truth. It’s that rule of polite society again: one mustn’t rock the boat, ruffle feathers or put anyone’s nose out of joint. How absurd. Facts are facts."
Miriam thinks Britain needs to be honest about itself, in order to avoid repeating the problems of the past.
She said: "Now it feels more crucial than ever to think for ourselves, debunk the deceits and sort the sheep from the goats.
"Mummy used to say 'speak as you find', and I think that’s an excellent way of sorting out decent folk from the vile. What unites us is far greater than what divides. Don’t be afraid to learn from everything wrong in our past – and there is a lot wrong in our past – let’s just do it better in the future."
Meanwhile, Miriam previously claimed that she doesn't "feel" like a celebrity.
The actress has starred on stage and screen for decades, but Miriam still doesn't understand her celebrity status.
The Cambridge-educated star told the Observer newspaper: "Did you know, people describe me now as a celebrity? I don’t feel like a celebrity at all, I just feel like an intelligent old lady.
"But it’s funny when people, you know, ‘cluster’. When I went for an injection in my spine on Tuesday, all the nurses were very kind and excitable. I suppose they either know me from Harry Potter or Blackadder. And some might know me from Dickens’ Women, which is my one-woman show, or Call the Midwife, or the documentaries or films or Graham Norton of course.
"I’ve had a curious career, I suppose."
