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447 reviews for:
Confessions of a Prairie Bitch: How I Survived Nellie Oleson and Learned to Love Being Hated
Alison Arngrim
4.13 AVERAGE
447 reviews for:
Confessions of a Prairie Bitch: How I Survived Nellie Oleson and Learned to Love Being Hated
Alison Arngrim
4.13 AVERAGE
I almost always like the memoirs I pick up. I wouldn't read about someone who didn't interest me at some point in my life. So being a life-long fan of Little House on the Prairie, I obviously needed to know more about the woman who played Nellie. Arngrim fills her sometimes shockingly sad story with humor and a clear appreciation for every opportunity she's had. When reading about how Little House was produced, I was fascinated by Michael Landon's approach to work. (Frankly, I wish a few decision makers where I work were more like Landon, recognizing that if something is good to start with, you don't have to keep at it just to keep at it! You just need to move it!)
The book left me wanting to hear Arngrim's stand up act, because the bitch is funny.
The book left me wanting to hear Arngrim's stand up act, because the bitch is funny.
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
This is a memoir of sorts by the actress and activist Alison Arngrim, best known for playing the role of Nellie in the NBC series "Little House on the Prairie" for seven years. In this she explains how she got started in the showbiz industry (her mother is a cartoon voiceover actress) and what it was like working on a television show that was set in the 1800's. In this book she reveals some interesting things about the series.... like how Michael Landon was actually very short and wore risers in his shoes, and that he also drank like a fish. She also reports that contrary to what is shown on the program, she is actually good friends with Melissa Gilbert. She writes about the infamous wheelchair stunt scene which was only partially performed by her, and part by a stunt actress, and about the famously curly hair which was a custom made wig.
On a more serious note, Alison was sexually abused as a child for years by her older brother. In more recent years she has had mental health therapy to help her cope and has also learned the value of activism. She found out that the rapists and abusers of children were only considered misdemeanors, punishable by only 30 days in jail if they were parents, relatives, or someone else who was living in the home at the time of the act. Alison lobbied the state legislature of California when she learned of this atrocity, as recently as 2004. (!!!) She went on the Larry King show to enlighten Californians and urged them to lobby their state representatives and senators, and that onerous part of the bill was successfully changed in 2005. Alison relates all of this in her book, and also writes about her other activist cause, which is to help HIV+/ AIDS patients.
On a more serious note, Alison was sexually abused as a child for years by her older brother. In more recent years she has had mental health therapy to help her cope and has also learned the value of activism. She found out that the rapists and abusers of children were only considered misdemeanors, punishable by only 30 days in jail if they were parents, relatives, or someone else who was living in the home at the time of the act. Alison lobbied the state legislature of California when she learned of this atrocity, as recently as 2004. (!!!) She went on the Larry King show to enlighten Californians and urged them to lobby their state representatives and senators, and that onerous part of the bill was successfully changed in 2005. Alison relates all of this in her book, and also writes about her other activist cause, which is to help HIV+/ AIDS patients.
Ok, I love the books but have never seen the Little House tv show. I picked up this book because I liked the title and the cover and I'd seen it in a list of hilarious female autobiographies somewhere. It's REALLY funny. Sure, a lot of the anecdotes would mean more to me if I had seen the show but Alison Arngrim is so talented that her memories and riffs are engaging by themselves. I really enjoyed it! If I ever get a chance to see her stand up comedy I am there!
emotional
funny
fast-paced
Really loved this book! Allison Arngrim is an awesome human. Her book made me laugh out loud and then cry and then laugh again. Such a good read.
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced