Confessions of a Prairie Bitch: How I Survived Nellie Oleson and Learned to Love Being Hated [Englisch] [Gebundene Ausgabe]

As with many, I went through the list of 'Prairie' books as they were released. As a reader, I do not necessarily look to 'relate' to the author's life, because we are all clearly different, even though I have spent my life in the entertainment business and my work is still in it. What I do look for is the author's honesty in the details they do choose to share. I also like it if the author realizes that not all their readers have shared in their experiences. It is almost like wanting my doctor to talk to me in terms I can understand and relate, rather than in medical jargon. And even me having been in the business for most of my life, I can still read an actor's autobiography and go: "What in the world is he or she talking about?!"

First came Gilbert's 'Prairie Tale.' I liked the book, but the author failed to realize that her readers are, for the most part, completely removed from her reality. She relates to the reader as a 'peer,' failing to realize that they will mostly have little clue as to what it is like to be in her shoes (i.e. not everyone can run up to Montreal to find out what their boyfriends are up to). Many readers will also like to know what was it like 'being' in the Little House ambience. Gilbert goes through her Little House years rather fast, so if you blink, you may miss it. This is understandable, because she grew up there, so it became, for her, daily routine, but her audience may be wanting a bit more since this was not their routine, and may be hungry to know more. And it seemed that her book was more a therapeutic catharsis rather than sharing one on one with her readers. Again, understandably so, and the approach she chose, so I took it as that and went with it.

Then came Melissa Sue Anderson's book, which in my view was pretty much a waste of paper. She remains as aloof in her accounts as she was with her co-stars in her years working in 'Little House.' What Arngrim would later explain about Anderson in her own book is clearly what I perceived about her reading it. Cold, removed and basically "I am not going to tell you much about me, so do not bother me by asking."

Finally, after much waiting, came Alison's book. Since what I knew of her was that she was witty, honest, open and just totally delightful, I could not wait to read her accounts. Yes, unlike some people, I do not hold the actor accountable for what their character does! As soon as the book arrived, I started glancing through it and immediately realized this was going to be an even better ride than I expected! Having finished the book, I have to say that it was even more so. I did not want it to end! She is charming, funny and completely open. She holds little back. But what I liked most is that she talks to her readers not only as 'friends,' but also knowing that their experience is not like hers. Therefore, she makes it clear to understand and relate to. In doing this, the gap that could be there between her and her readers is eliminated and she comes across as a person, rather than a celebrity many cannot relate to. Now, Alison could have easily followed in Melissa Gilbert's path, since both her and Melissa G. were pretty much raised in the business, making it hard to see life from the outside, but she did not. This is an enormous credit to her, because it is not easy to do. What this means to me is that she can relate to the business 'outsiders' as with the 'insiders' and does not talk down to, but on equal terms. Clearly, she not only appreciates her fans, but also completely understands their curiosity and aims at placating it. To someone in the business, it becomes pretty much run of the mill what a set looks like, what the crew does and what others in the cast are like. They tend to disregard that fans may be craving to know every detail, because to the actor, it is a daily reality they have stopped being in awe of. Alison seems to understand this and speaks to her readers with the same awe they have. Her attitude is pretty much, "you and I are not much different, let me share about my life with you and how wonderful my Little House 'behind the scenes' years were." Alison also shares about her own child abuse, and does so handling a very delicate subject in quite a remarkable way. She is indeed quite a woman.

I have to add this as well: Alison's wit is phenomenal! There are times in reading her book in which she has you laughing so hard you literally start crying. Her matter of fact look at life in Hollywood, Simi Valley and the 1800's prairie is just hilarious.

If you are even a remotely interested fan of 'Little House on the Prairie,' you HAVE to get this book!

As a girl who grew up with Little House on the Prairie, I knew that I would enjoy this book. A Nellie Oleson tell all? I mean, who WOULDN'T want to read that!? And as a behind the scene look at the world of Little House, Prairie Bitch is detailed and funny, with wonderful descriptions of her costars. What I didn't realize when I pre-ordered it was Alison's work for survivors of sexual assault and her background as an assault survivor, along with the work she's done for years in support of people living with AIDS. She took what could have just been a breezy and funny childstar memoir and gave it deep substance and importance.

While I watched Little House a few times as a kid, I didn't become a big fan until recently when I re-read the books from childhood and bought the boxed set when it was on sale at B&N. As a child, Nellie scared the daylights out of me - mostly because I was bullied a lot in school and she reminded me of those mean girls. As an adult, I kind of loved her brazen bitchy style. While she was annoying, she was pretty damn smart. I did like how she grew up though and was sad to see her leave the show (but was thrilled when she came back for visits).

Since I read "Prairie Tale" Amazon suggested that I may want to preorder Confessions of a Prairie Bitch... and I did, immediately. It sounded like a much more enjoyable read than the former book. While I liked Prairie Tale okay I didn't relate much to Melissa at all. I didn't grow up rich. I didn't have a seemingly great family. I didn't drink until I was 21. I never rebelled. So while her story was interesting to me, I couldn't really relate. It was also told in more of a dramatic sad fashion, than in the dark-humor fashion that I greatly prefer and understand.

I got Confessions the day it was release and it killed me to have to finish my book I was reading before I could delve into it (I'm anal like that). I kept looking at the cover just KNOWING a great story lied beneath it's pink pop art cover. While you can't always judge a book by its cover, this one is exactly what its cover depicts - sassy, spunky, edgy and hilarious.

While I didn't have a gay father, I had a similar abusive relationship with my older brother so from the early stages of this book I felt like Alison was a kindred spirit. It's rare to meet someone that has and appreciates dark humor and isn't weirded out by it. I'm also a Daddy's girl and am proud to this day when people tell me that I remind them of him in looks and wit. While I was never an actor (well unless you count the local theater!) I could really relate to a lot of Alison's stories and life. Even if I couldn't, I know that I would still enjoy this book so much more than the other prairie tales because it plays it real.

If you are looking for a backstory on some of the antics on the Little House set they are here in abundance. Alison tells the truth about everything and doesn't sugar coat a thing, including just what was beneath Charles' trousers and what Melissa Sue was really like. If you are just looking for a fun memoir to read, look no further. This book is a great read, even for the non-LHOP fan!

Beyond Little House, Alison delves into what became her life's work afterwards beyond her stand-up routine, her fight for AIDS rights and for [...]. I honestly had no idea such a law existed to protect relatives of abuse victims and am aghast that such a law even EXISTS in this time and day! I plan on signing up immediately and I hope that you do as well (especially after reading her novel).

The bottom line is that it's easy to take a life of sadness and heartache and turn it into a lifelong sorrow. I hear all too often "woe is me" and "life isn't fair" and yet most of these people complaining don't even know what unfair or true sadness is. The beauty of this book is that never once does Alison wax poetic about the crappy hand life dealt her, she chucks it up to a life lesson and something to grow from and moves along. Alison's wit and candor may not be your cup of tea, but you have to admit to admiring her brass set of balls and her positive outlook on life.

By far the best book I've read this year and one of the best memoirs ever. I hope to read more from Alison and that she makes a stop somewhere near the lonely state of Ohio on her tour!!