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mariahistryingtoread's review against another edition
3.0
I have finally finished my Little House on the Prairie project (at least until I get around to reading the actual books or Melissa Gilberts' sequel memoir) and as I expected Confessions of a Prairie Bitch is still the clear winner in every regard. Prairie Tale was not without merit, however.
Similar to Alison Arngrim, Melissa Gilbert has certainly led a conflicted, complex life. Melissa Anderson might have as well, but she was disinclined to share therefore I can only speculate.
Melissa Gilbert was never able to capture her Little House level of notoriety again on her own, but she didn't let that stop her from living the Hollywood life. This included fun things like exclusive parties, casually dating celebrities the average person only dreams of, and filming in all manner of exotic locales. It also included bad - yet ubiquitous - things like alcoholism, drug abuse and near financial ruin on more than one occasion. This book predates our current notions of Hollywood by nearly a decade so expect to be presented with weird or errant behavior depicted as all in good fun. Even when Gilbert acts flummoxed by it, there's an undercurrent of resigned fondness to it. To a degree, toxicity has absolutely been normalized for her - which to be fair to her she does admit - and she finds it comfortable despite its inconvenience or broader detrimental effects.
I cannot say for certain whether or not Gilbert is a good person - I've never met her nor could I assess her overall merit as a human being in one single meeting. But, I can say that a lot of what she is willing to put up with as a core aspect of living in Hollywood does not paint her in the most flattering light. Especially in regards to the environment she was potentially creating for her children. She was fluid in terms of timelines, rarely clarifying what year it was, and choosing to touch on the ages of her sons sparingly. Reading between the lines I know that there had to be quite a lot of messiness behind the scenes based on what she did say. Given the conversations we have been having the last few years about corruption in Hollywood, I couldn't help but think how much easier certain aspects might have been if she had simply left the dream behind and picked up anew somewhere else. Alas, the allure was too much for her to ignore.
Keep in mind that a majority of the book is about her general life in Hollywood after Little House. If you want Little House tea, you will not find it here. Melissa Gilbert is obviously very emotionally invested in it because of the relationship she had to Michael Landon and it shows in the guarded, surface level skim over her years working on it. She does speak negatively about the later years, but that's easy for anyone to do since it's widely known that the show was falling off towards the end.
The last few chapters focus exclusively on her running to be SAG president which if you're not particularly plugged into movie politics or functionality - like me - you'll probably become bored.
I enjoyed the book. It was an easy read. I would often get sucked into the story in spite of not knowing half the people she was referring to. I always respect when a person is willing to combat stigma by being upfront and honest. I appreciated how frank she was about her missteps. It's a painless recommendation from me. Though I will say if you're looking for better accompanied by a side of the ills of Hollywood, you can't go wrong with I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy. Or pick up Confessions.
Similar to Alison Arngrim, Melissa Gilbert has certainly led a conflicted, complex life. Melissa Anderson might have as well, but she was disinclined to share therefore I can only speculate.
Melissa Gilbert was never able to capture her Little House level of notoriety again on her own, but she didn't let that stop her from living the Hollywood life. This included fun things like exclusive parties, casually dating celebrities the average person only dreams of, and filming in all manner of exotic locales. It also included bad - yet ubiquitous - things like alcoholism, drug abuse and near financial ruin on more than one occasion. This book predates our current notions of Hollywood by nearly a decade so expect to be presented with weird or errant behavior depicted as all in good fun. Even when Gilbert acts flummoxed by it, there's an undercurrent of resigned fondness to it. To a degree, toxicity has absolutely been normalized for her - which to be fair to her she does admit - and she finds it comfortable despite its inconvenience or broader detrimental effects.
I cannot say for certain whether or not Gilbert is a good person - I've never met her nor could I assess her overall merit as a human being in one single meeting. But, I can say that a lot of what she is willing to put up with as a core aspect of living in Hollywood does not paint her in the most flattering light. Especially in regards to the environment she was potentially creating for her children. She was fluid in terms of timelines, rarely clarifying what year it was, and choosing to touch on the ages of her sons sparingly. Reading between the lines I know that there had to be quite a lot of messiness behind the scenes based on what she did say. Given the conversations we have been having the last few years about corruption in Hollywood, I couldn't help but think how much easier certain aspects might have been if she had simply left the dream behind and picked up anew somewhere else. Alas, the allure was too much for her to ignore.
Keep in mind that a majority of the book is about her general life in Hollywood after Little House. If you want Little House tea, you will not find it here. Melissa Gilbert is obviously very emotionally invested in it because of the relationship she had to Michael Landon and it shows in the guarded, surface level skim over her years working on it. She does speak negatively about the later years, but that's easy for anyone to do since it's widely known that the show was falling off towards the end.
The last few chapters focus exclusively on her running to be SAG president which if you're not particularly plugged into movie politics or functionality - like me - you'll probably become bored.
I enjoyed the book. It was an easy read. I would often get sucked into the story in spite of not knowing half the people she was referring to. I always respect when a person is willing to combat stigma by being upfront and honest. I appreciated how frank she was about her missteps. It's a painless recommendation from me. Though I will say if you're looking for better accompanied by a side of the ills of Hollywood, you can't go wrong with I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy. Or pick up Confessions.
mollybonovskyanderson's review against another edition
3.0
I read this 1. because I love memoirs and 2. because my family is now binge-watching Little House on the Prairie, a show I'm so familiar with that I've seen every episode multiple times. I enjoyed the insight about the show and about Melissa's celebrity relationships in general, but overall the book is a bit gossipy and fluffy. Still, I felt for her and admit she's come through a lot of Hollywood garbage and seems to be happy now, even though...spoiler...she's no longer with "love of her life" who seems to be the bastion of light at the end of the book. It baffles me the way people in the industry bounce from one relationship to another. Still, an engaging and easy read that went by quickly.
cheekylaydee's review against another edition
4.0
loved this book. Being big into biography at the moment and being a fan of Little House on the Prairie this was the perfect book to start the year off. It had the finest balance between Melissa Gilbert's life and Little House, neither one swamped the other.
I do find other people's lives interesting and reading about Melissa growing up with half the world watching was a fascinating aspect. There were certain things that I realated to such as her late social development and naivaty. Above all she comes across as brutally honest about herself. It's like she's sat down, written down her life and said "This is it, take it or leave it."
She gives us herself, warts and all seemingly without any fear of embarressment and with a self deprecating sense of humour that lends a more human aspect to the writing. I love Half Pint! And when I next pull out my Little House on the Prairie boxsets I'll be looking at that little girl with fresh eyes
I do find other people's lives interesting and reading about Melissa growing up with half the world watching was a fascinating aspect. There were certain things that I realated to such as her late social development and naivaty. Above all she comes across as brutally honest about herself. It's like she's sat down, written down her life and said "This is it, take it or leave it."
She gives us herself, warts and all seemingly without any fear of embarressment and with a self deprecating sense of humour that lends a more human aspect to the writing. I love Half Pint! And when I next pull out my Little House on the Prairie boxsets I'll be looking at that little girl with fresh eyes
karinlib's review against another edition
2.0
I read the book all the way through, although there were times that I wanted to put it down. I was really bothered by the language and the self-destructive behavior Melissa engaged in. I am not completely sure I am glad that I read the book
mschrock8's review against another edition
3.0
Trying to beef up my non-fiction reading.
I am a big fan of Laura Ingalls Wilder and Little House on the Prairie. Now I know more about the actor who played Laura on TV.
Why do celebrity memoirs have so much name dropping?
I am a big fan of Laura Ingalls Wilder and Little House on the Prairie. Now I know more about the actor who played Laura on TV.
Why do celebrity memoirs have so much name dropping?
kaetyg's review against another edition
4.0
I found Melissa Gilbert to be quite honest in her storytelling- flaws and all on display. Any fan of hers or of Little House will find this memoir interesting!
deemazztan's review against another edition
3.0
skimmed more than read. Liked knowing her story since I grew up with her. Had no idea her family was so connected to old hollywood.
margaretmechinus's review against another edition
2.0
I read Rob Lowes memoir in which he hardly mentions Melissa Gilbert, referring to her as his “on again off again girlfriend”. Then I found out that they had been planning a wedding when she got pregnant and he called the engagement off. So I got Melissa Gilbert’s book. So that’s why I checked the book out of the library. Why I kept reading it, I don’t know.
She writes a lot about Rob Lowe. She also writes about her sexual exploits, her drinking, her marriages, her divorces, her kids. A mess of a life. She ends the book, written in 2009 praising her then husband, whom she then divorced in 2011.
She writes a lot about Rob Lowe. She also writes about her sexual exploits, her drinking, her marriages, her divorces, her kids. A mess of a life. She ends the book, written in 2009 praising her then husband, whom she then divorced in 2011.
allenfarm's review
4.0
lovely read
Filled with the messiest and juiciest of tidbits from 80s Brat Pack Hollywood, this was definitely a worthy read. From Little House to mid 40s, Melissa has lived a full life while never really shedding that âHalf Pintâ persona. She shows that weâre all a product of our upbringing, and shows why we might gravitate towards people that arenât always best for us. She unflinchingly shares her personal struggles and accomplishments from drug use and alcoholism to SAG President and Momma. She is a product of Hollywood, but by the end of the book, sheâs living on her own terms for the first time in her life. One of the few memoirs Iâve read that I couldnât put down.
Filled with the messiest and juiciest of tidbits from 80s Brat Pack Hollywood, this was definitely a worthy read. From Little House to mid 40s, Melissa has lived a full life while never really shedding that âHalf Pintâ persona. She shows that weâre all a product of our upbringing, and shows why we might gravitate towards people that arenât always best for us. She unflinchingly shares her personal struggles and accomplishments from drug use and alcoholism to SAG President and Momma. She is a product of Hollywood, but by the end of the book, sheâs living on her own terms for the first time in her life. One of the few memoirs Iâve read that I couldnât put down.