Book Review: Prairie Tale by Melissa Gilbert

Prairie Tale by Melissa Gilbert is a very honest look back at the child star’s life and career in television, and a revealing snapshot of the actress’ vices and loves. Gilbert pulls no punches when uncovering the facts of her relationships with first “real boyfriend,” fellow actor Rob Lowe, or her connection with TV dad, Michael Landon from Little House on the Prairie, the show that started it all for her. From enduring drugs, alcohol, and divorce to finding a nurturing marriage and family life with hunky actor Bruce Boxleitner, Melissa has lived it all. The actress doesn’t regret the mistakes she made more than once along the way, and the reader will enjoy learning about the young “Rat Pack” actors of the 80’s and the inside stories of sharing movie sets with such legends as George C. Scott and Patricia Neal. A quick read with a generally light tone, the book does contain a few heavier, more emotional moments, such as Landon’s death from cancer in 1991. Overall, knowing that even “America’s Sweetheart” had her hang-ups and lived to tell about them in a funny and entertaining way enlightens the reader. - Kathy (Sunset)