Helpful Score: 13
I know the difference between Melissa Gilbert and the character she played on TV. So, I did not expect this book to be about Half Pint. But I did expect to learn some things about Little House, since she was on the show for much of her formative years. There was some information about the show--but really not a lot. Most of it I had heard throughout the years from Alison Arngrim (who played Nellie). There were a few glimpses of Michael Landon and his influence on Melissa, but VERY little about the others on the set.
Primarily, this book is about who sleeps with who in Hollywood, including who Melissa slept with. (I am not going to include a list here, since some may not want to know.) It is about an actress, who despite being on a hit TV show had major issues with self-esteem. I do not fault her for her self-esteem issues and destructive behavior, and I applaud her for her progress in dealing with her issues.
A word of caution--there are some examples of very crude language in this book. Completely unnecessary--and made me think that Melissa uses them to gain some approval from her readers. The language and references felt forced.
If you want insight into the Hollywood of the 70s and 80s or are interested in SAG, this book may hold some interest for you. I think it could have been much more interesting.
Primarily, this book is about who sleeps with who in Hollywood, including who Melissa slept with. (I am not going to include a list here, since some may not want to know.) It is about an actress, who despite being on a hit TV show had major issues with self-esteem. I do not fault her for her self-esteem issues and destructive behavior, and I applaud her for her progress in dealing with her issues.
A word of caution--there are some examples of very crude language in this book. Completely unnecessary--and made me think that Melissa uses them to gain some approval from her readers. The language and references felt forced.
If you want insight into the Hollywood of the 70s and 80s or are interested in SAG, this book may hold some interest for you. I think it could have been much more interesting.
Helpful Score: 7
Melissa Gilbert was America's Sweetheart back in the 70's and early 80's. In her memoir Prairie Tale she swrites about her adoption, Little House on the Prairie, her relationship with Rob Lowe and her battle with drinking.
I've always been a fan of Little House , naturally I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book. The book was very engaging, and read it in one day. For someone who reads tabloids cover to cover(I know, i'm ashamed) this book was great. She's very open about her time on Little Prairie giving a vast amount of info on her co-stars and what it was like on set. The most interesting part of the memoir for me was about her relationship with Rob Lowe. I've always been fascinated with The Brat Pack, and there's a good amount about them in the book. Did you know she auditioned for the part of Debbie in About Last Night? Luckily it went to Demi Moore, cause I just can't see her in that role.
The writing was straightforward and easy. It didn't seem like she was trying so hard, she just told her story. Memoirs are usually hard to follow because they can be disjointed, going back and forward in time but not with Praire Tale. The last couple of chapters were boring, but then again reading about someone being a mess is much more entertaining. Is that wrong to say? Melissa Gilbert also name dropped quite a bit in the book. It got annoying some, but it is about Hollywood so what can you do? I would definitely recommend it especially if you were a fan of Little House, or Rob Lowe.
I've always been a fan of Little House , naturally I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book. The book was very engaging, and read it in one day. For someone who reads tabloids cover to cover(I know, i'm ashamed) this book was great. She's very open about her time on Little Prairie giving a vast amount of info on her co-stars and what it was like on set. The most interesting part of the memoir for me was about her relationship with Rob Lowe. I've always been fascinated with The Brat Pack, and there's a good amount about them in the book. Did you know she auditioned for the part of Debbie in About Last Night? Luckily it went to Demi Moore, cause I just can't see her in that role.
The writing was straightforward and easy. It didn't seem like she was trying so hard, she just told her story. Memoirs are usually hard to follow because they can be disjointed, going back and forward in time but not with Praire Tale. The last couple of chapters were boring, but then again reading about someone being a mess is much more entertaining. Is that wrong to say? Melissa Gilbert also name dropped quite a bit in the book. It got annoying some, but it is about Hollywood so what can you do? I would definitely recommend it especially if you were a fan of Little House, or Rob Lowe.
Helpful Score: 5
This book is a very thoughtfully written memoir by Melissa Gilbert, who we know best as Laura Ingalls in the Little House on the Prairie series.
Melissa worked hard to give readers what they were looking for but in small doses. She gives a glimpse at what it was like as a child actor on hit show with the great Michael Landon as her mentor. Being an avid Little House fan, this section left me wanting more.
The bulk of her memoir talks about her life from the teenage years to the current year. You will learn about all her romances and the tv movies she made.Famous friends and lovers as well as a few foes. She bravely details her life struggles which she honestly bares for the reader. She also tells of her successful stint as the SAG president for two terms. You will definitely get a peek into the Hollywood life and Melissa's inner circle. Her marriage and relationship with husband Bruce Boxleitner and their children is also shared. Melissa chronologically shares her life and peppers it with her humor and a few colorful words.
It was very interesting especially if you are a Melissa Gilbert fan. Several family pictures are shared as well as some professional ones including two with Michael Landon.
Definitely worth your time if you like Melissa Gilbert. I found it hard to put down. Enjoy!
Melissa worked hard to give readers what they were looking for but in small doses. She gives a glimpse at what it was like as a child actor on hit show with the great Michael Landon as her mentor. Being an avid Little House fan, this section left me wanting more.
The bulk of her memoir talks about her life from the teenage years to the current year. You will learn about all her romances and the tv movies she made.Famous friends and lovers as well as a few foes. She bravely details her life struggles which she honestly bares for the reader. She also tells of her successful stint as the SAG president for two terms. You will definitely get a peek into the Hollywood life and Melissa's inner circle. Her marriage and relationship with husband Bruce Boxleitner and their children is also shared. Melissa chronologically shares her life and peppers it with her humor and a few colorful words.
It was very interesting especially if you are a Melissa Gilbert fan. Several family pictures are shared as well as some professional ones including two with Michael Landon.
Definitely worth your time if you like Melissa Gilbert. I found it hard to put down. Enjoy!
Helpful Score: 5
I grew up watching Melissa Gilbert. I was so excited to get this book...
I think the memory of Michael Landon should have been left alone.. She didn't say alot but what she said about the drinking and smoking was so unnecessary!
If you want to know who she slept with.. her miscarriage...and Rob Lowe....read it...
I was not happy with this book... Tori Spelling did the same who did I sleep with so did Valerie Bertinelli... these woman have to know when to close their mouths..and legs... I like the illusions of who they are... once you read these books... you lose respect for them all!
I think the memory of Michael Landon should have been left alone.. She didn't say alot but what she said about the drinking and smoking was so unnecessary!
If you want to know who she slept with.. her miscarriage...and Rob Lowe....read it...
I was not happy with this book... Tori Spelling did the same who did I sleep with so did Valerie Bertinelli... these woman have to know when to close their mouths..and legs... I like the illusions of who they are... once you read these books... you lose respect for them all!
Helpful Score: 4
I enjoyed reading this book. Learned a few things about the different characters she played over the years that I didn't know. Interesting to learn some of the background facts. I thought it was an honest telling and it read like she was speaking to me...not at me.
Unlike a different reviewer, I didn't feel that there was unneccesary use of foul language.
I did, at a few points, want to yell "get on with the story already" , but that was only when she got bogged down in name dropping (and more importantly dropping names I didn't recognize!)
Overall I gave it 3.5 stars and would (and did) recommend it!
Unlike a different reviewer, I didn't feel that there was unneccesary use of foul language.
I did, at a few points, want to yell "get on with the story already" , but that was only when she got bogged down in name dropping (and more importantly dropping names I didn't recognize!)
Overall I gave it 3.5 stars and would (and did) recommend it!
