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I loved the Little House books once upon a time even if I lost steam somewhere on the shores of Silver Lake. But the tv show-eh. I only made it a season or two before I decided it was too corny even for my decidedly juvenile, corny tastes. I wasn't even familiar with the wheelchair episode that a whole chapter of this book is devoted to. I have always liked Arngrim though since I saw her years ago on some daytime TV show talking about her work with AIDS charities. She was so pretty without the Nellie Oleson drag.
So, I've always liked Alison but after reading this, I kind of love her. She's been an AIDS activist ever since her TV husband Steve Tracey became mortally ill with the disease in the late 80's (that chapter is beautifully written and heartbreaking.) She's also an incest survivor and was integral in pushing for some legislative changes in California to punish child sexual abusers. She talks about these things in the book but this book isn't depressing or heavy. It's funny. Arngrim is funny. And she has a natural gift for storytelling. The bulk of this tale is about her time on Little House and she has lots to tell. Her Nellie wig was the most expensive wig on television at the time and made her scalp numb (she really can tell a story-the part about the stupid Nellie wig was seriously page turning.) Melissa Gilbert was her best friend. Melissa Sue Anderson was kind of a bitch. Michael Landon went commando under his tight prairie britches to reel in the +40 female demographic who thought he was a hottie (seriously?)
And through the magic of You Tube, I now finally have seen the infamous wheelchair scene. Joan Crawford Prairie Realness.
So, I've always liked Alison but after reading this, I kind of love her. She's been an AIDS activist ever since her TV husband Steve Tracey became mortally ill with the disease in the late 80's (that chapter is beautifully written and heartbreaking.) She's also an incest survivor and was integral in pushing for some legislative changes in California to punish child sexual abusers. She talks about these things in the book but this book isn't depressing or heavy. It's funny. Arngrim is funny. And she has a natural gift for storytelling. The bulk of this tale is about her time on Little House and she has lots to tell. Her Nellie wig was the most expensive wig on television at the time and made her scalp numb (she really can tell a story-the part about the stupid Nellie wig was seriously page turning.) Melissa Gilbert was her best friend. Melissa Sue Anderson was kind of a bitch. Michael Landon went commando under his tight prairie britches to reel in the +40 female demographic who thought he was a hottie (seriously?)
And through the magic of You Tube, I now finally have seen the infamous wheelchair scene. Joan Crawford Prairie Realness.