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
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: 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: 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!
Helpful Score: 2
The first half of the book deals with what everyone is reading it for, the Little House years. After that it gets very SLOW and is a litany of bad relationships, sex, alcoholism. It is a tell all and I am sure there are some Hollywood folks upset, but it should be reading knowing that it is similar to a tabloid (which I might add, Melissa appears to hate over her time in them, but I guess that doesn't matter here) It is an ok book, but take it for what it is, a tell all.
Helpful Score: 1
ok, I admit it- I grew up with Little House on the Prairie.
And what girl wouldn't love to have Melissa Gilbert's life.
This biography is an honest tale of her life- fresh with plenty of SH- word, details of her lavish love/sex life- it was always wonderful, full of passion, blah blah blah.
It was a refreshing revelation that she was not perfect, made many mistakes, but some how the details irritated me-she was a princess, treated above the normal person, and everything works out perfectly in the end.
Very self absorbed person. Name dropper- even though I didn't know half of the people she was talking about!
The last three chapters did not need to be included- got confusing, all about her time as president of the SAG- Boring! skipped over it, and then chuckled at the last pages- the names she wanted to name the book.
Full of that rebellious spirit she shows through out the book.
It was a decent, two day read- to distract myself from reality, full of fluff and drama.
And what girl wouldn't love to have Melissa Gilbert's life.
This biography is an honest tale of her life- fresh with plenty of SH- word, details of her lavish love/sex life- it was always wonderful, full of passion, blah blah blah.
It was a refreshing revelation that she was not perfect, made many mistakes, but some how the details irritated me-she was a princess, treated above the normal person, and everything works out perfectly in the end.
Very self absorbed person. Name dropper- even though I didn't know half of the people she was talking about!
The last three chapters did not need to be included- got confusing, all about her time as president of the SAG- Boring! skipped over it, and then chuckled at the last pages- the names she wanted to name the book.
Full of that rebellious spirit she shows through out the book.
It was a decent, two day read- to distract myself from reality, full of fluff and drama.
Helpful Score: 1
I liked her book better than Melissa Sue book. I guess becasue she lived a much more adventurous life. I liked that she knew her problems and owned up to them and worked to fix them. Life in Hollywood is certainly not boring.
Prairie Tale is a great autobiography of Melissa Gilbert "Half Pint" and her life. It is open, honest and surprising! Well worth reading to see the real life person behind the character!
Very candid book and interesting read. Enjoyed it.
I must be one of the few people who enjoyed this book. I did want to hear a bit more about the Little House characters and about the show, but I was in the end satisfied that she told what she felt comfortable telling. And after all, the memoir is about her, not the others.
Melissa Gilbert is only a couple years older than me, and as a little girl with long hair and buck teeth, I grew up watching Little House on the Prairie, and feeling a connection to her. It was a fun read. She's been through a lot, and for the most part, handled it with grace. It was sad to read in the news recently that she and Bruce split up. If you liked Little House, or are a fan of Melissa Gilbert's, you will enjoy the book.
If you want to read about Melissa Gilbert's ups and downs in her love life, her struggle with alcoholism, her fight to become president of the Actor's Guild...etc; then this is an interesting read.
If you want more anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories about the beloved TV series Little House on the Prairie; skip this and read Alison Arngrim's book.
This book has little to do with the "Prairie" and much more to do with her sex life and drugs, and though I think it's an OK-enough memoir, I was disappointed. From the title I had expected to read much more of her side of the daily grind of working as a child star on the LHotP set, and how she interacted with her co-stars.
The language is raw, and seems stilted, as someone else had noted. But if you are a fan of Gilbert's, then this would be a good book to get.
If you want more anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories about the beloved TV series Little House on the Prairie; skip this and read Alison Arngrim's book.
This book has little to do with the "Prairie" and much more to do with her sex life and drugs, and though I think it's an OK-enough memoir, I was disappointed. From the title I had expected to read much more of her side of the daily grind of working as a child star on the LHotP set, and how she interacted with her co-stars.
The language is raw, and seems stilted, as someone else had noted. But if you are a fan of Gilbert's, then this would be a good book to get.
As others have noted, this book is less about Melissa's time on Little House and more about her Hollywood family. I didn't finish the book. I definitely enjoyed
Alison Arngrim's book for her frank portrayal of personalities and her struggles through her childhood.
Alison Arngrim's book for her frank portrayal of personalities and her struggles through her childhood.
I bought this book at the Friends of the Library book sale and it was one of my better finds. This book touches on her younger years filming Little House on the Prairie. But mostly this book deals with her life after Little House. It was an enjoyable read. :)
I was a huge "Little House" fan after reading the books when I was a little girl. Many things about Melissa Gilbert's life surprised me...some drug use, divorces and a wild side you would never expect. Her writing is not award-winning quality but she tells her own story from the heart. I really enjoyed this book!
wonderful book!
I was disappointed in this book. I lost interest when she started talking about loosing her virginity in my HOME TOWN,no less. Some things are better left unsaid, let us use our imagination...
Enjoyable read!
