Confessions of a Prairie Bitch: How I Survived Nellie Oleson and Learned to Love Being Hated
Reviews (209)
wonderful biography
I read the entire book in one sitting, late into the night. I had always been intrigued by the character of Nellie Oleson, and it was nice to read about the actress who portrayed her. Ms. Arngrim and I are about the same age. I grew up watching the show, and I must admit that it wasn't until I was an adult that I realized how pretty Alison Arngrim is; the character of Nellie was so unpleasant that I always thought of her as ugly, but she's actually very lovely! Alison took an unconventional childhood, with some serious family problems and pain, and channeled her Nellie character to gain the strength to grow into an amazing and very funny woman. Nellie needed a good spanking, but Alison is strong, charming, wicked smart, honest, real, and beautiful. I donate most books I'm done reading, but this one is a keeper because I'll read it again.
The Best TV Star Memoir You Can Hope For
Bless Arngrim for finally writing a tv star memoir that doesn't pussyfoot around about telling fans what they actually want to know. Specifically, Little House on the Prairiedogs wanna know: * Is she actually a bitch? (No.) * Who did she get along with on set? (Laura, of all people) * Who did she NOT get along with on set? (Mary, of all people) * How were famous episodes made? (With difficulty) * Was Michael Landon nice? (For the most part) * How was her home life screwed up? (Terrifically) * Did she end up screwed up? And thankfully, the answer to the last question is no. She feels like a pretty down-to-earth person, but not so dumb as to believe some patronizing horse hockey as "I'm just a regular gal!" When you have secret knowledge like Michael Landon's habit of not wearing underwear, you ain't a regular person. While the lion's share is on her time on the Prairie, as it rightfully oughtta be, she does delve into some darker personal territory. And it's so odd listening to her cornball accent as she describes traumatic episodes in her child and adult life that it threw me for a loop. But Arngrim plays the correct balance, and avoids getting depressing or maudlin. She knows how to be appropriately somber, and also appropriately naughty. (I'm also glad she touches on the bittersweetness of Percival and Nellie's marriage. Sure, they were cute together, and it's sweet that Nellie finally finds her match in a little man with a backbone. But it's sad that Nellie's happily-ever-after on the show was 'being tamed.' I'd rather have seen Nellie Oleson's bitchiness evolve into magnificent adulthood, rather than be de-toothed and domesticated.) Now, I ain't going to say this is the most perfect book in the world. I sincerely doubt it would hold interest for anyone not at least familiar with the TV show (how the hell I got into Prairie watching is beyond me). But this is exactly what I want in a memoir. She treats her readers with respect, dishes the dirt, offers but doesn't preach some of her hard-earned lessons, and admits to playing monopoly while under acid. I cannot ask for more. If you can get this on Audiobook, do yourself a favor and do that! It's even better straight from Arngrim.
What a delightful surprise...
I was not a regular watcher of Little House on the Prairie, but I remember Nellie. I had no idea that she was an incest survivor. Unfortunately, I was abused sexually by my twin brother when we were in our early teens. It was not to the degree of Allison's abuse, but I cannot remember if my parents ever punished him. I am glad that Allison has managed to survive and actually thrive. Her story is not unusual but the way she has overcome and even fights to improve the situation for others - who are survivors of incest - in our Nation's courtrooms is something to be admired. WAY TO GO "Nellie!"
Fantastically funny, sad, horrifying, and ultimately, a triumph
Wowza. This is right up there with Mackenzie Phillips memoir. Absolutely fascinating, and I ADORE her affinity to the French, because I "get it". Her comments made me howl, about why the French love Nellie Olsen. She's mean, but she has a reason, and thus they understand. I myself have a quote about my own mother that "she wasn't mean, she was French". And all my friends who are Adult Children of French Mothers understand without having to explain. Her family are... something else. Dad is gay and is not hiding it from his family. Mom is nearly all the voices in 60s cartoons, including Miss Polly Purebred, oh, swoon! Be warned, there's a lot of childhood abuse by her older brother that will be very hard for some to read about. Especially if you were a fan of "Land of the Giants", because her older brother was the child star of that show, physically violent, and a rapist. As an adule, all the women he's been married to bear a creepy resemblance to Alison. But hey, Alison Arngrim survived. The book is a triumph. It's well written, hilarious, fun to read. Now I wish her one woman show would make it to Austin Texas. Hell I'd trek to Houston if I had to/
Fun read, surprising, and interesting
I grew up on Little House on the Prairie and The Waltons; two families that filled our young 1970s lives with homespun wisdom, good vs. evil (Laura vs Nellie), and fun family entertainment. Who didn’t love watching Laura and Nellie get into it? Over the years I’ve heard many side stories about Ms. Arngrim, including what a nice person “Nellie really is.” I’ve wanted this book for awhile, so finally picked it up and enjoyed. Ms. Arngrim is a great storyteller, with a seriously fun and at times dark wit, and a life story far from what Nellie would imagine. I won’t give anything away - you must read it all in her own words - but needless to say, Ms. Arngrim - Alison - is nothing like Nellie, and that’s both refreshing and eye opening. Her life has been a surprising series of adventures and moments, far from what most will have experienced. And her stories about Nellie and life on Little House will fill any fan with insights, but also that behind-the-scene fun that makes one see things in a new light. Most of us know what happened to Laura (Melissa Gilbert) or Charles (Michael Landon) outside of the show (one went into politics, one sadly passed away. But hearing the stories of how Ms. Arngrim met them, worked with them, or felt about them in life are charming, sweet, and memorable. Add in her advocacy for AIDS and incest survivors and you have one interesting woman. If you’re a fan of autobiography’s this is a fun, well written, and great read. If you’re a little house fan, a must-read. And if you loved or hated Nellie I think you’re going to walk away from this book loving her (for the first time or) even more.
Funny. Entertaining, and Sincere
I haven't enjoyed reading a book this much in years. Some pretty bad things happen, and she is honest and down-to-earth about what happened and how she handled it. She writes with wit and sincerity. The book is a good balance between an insider's look at LHOP and growing up with Hollywood parents. It's amazing how she was able, as an adult, to use her stardom as Nellie in addressing some heavy issues. I am looking forward to watching the show with new eyes. My favorite episode is the one where Percival comes to teach Nellie about running the hotel. I love the "short" jokes, and it was especially satisfying to read about their real-life friendship. I loved this book!
Awesome heart felt book
I enjoyed this book , it was written by Alison's heart, not for show or publicity . She went through abuse to finding her purpose on this planet. You feel her pain and also her happiness in helping others from HIV patients to abused children . She helped change a law in California to protect the children of abuse. Alison went outside her troubles and hardships and thought of others . She could of been easily a druggie or a selfish person who thought "woe is me " she did not she became strong and helped others ,speaking out ,working in a crisis line . It is a amazing story of a strong woman who is far from selfish and puts others before herself . My name is bethany ( Beth ) Girard.. I bought this book on my kindle not my mom j Dame . Thank you Alison for a wonderful uplifting story . Please write another book .
A 5-Star Bitch
Alison Arngrim is now one of my all-time favorite people!! Her book, Confessions of a Prairie Bitch, arrived yesterday and I could not put it down. Whether or not you're a Little House fan, this is one interesting read. Alison is a combination of seriously smart, wise, hysterically funny, and badass! Badass in a very smart way! First, everything a Little House fan wants to know about Alison, other cast members (and of course Michael) and what really took place behind the scenes is all there, the good, the bad and the hysterically funny — she’s a hoot! I’m not kidding! I have to read it again to mark some parts I want to read to friends. Next, and I don’t know if she intended this, but she’s totally inspiring. Her early years are nothing short of tragic, heartbreaking really. But she seems to have handled it all with wisdom, or maybe it’s her sense of humor that brought her through it. Either way, she’s definitely admirable, someone I’d actually want to hang out with. I adore this book, and I adore Alison, and I’ll forgive her one transgression—calling Mary Poppins annoying!! Although most bitchy women would agree. :)
Good Book with Captivating Writing
This is a first for me! I have never read a memoir of an actor before. I saw this book and decided to read an excerpt before spending $1.99 on the Kindle edition and I was hooked from that point on. I read the first 40 pages before I got out of bed! She has an entertaining manner of writing and I've really enjoyed her writing style and her insights. I can't imagine living with a rapist brother but she gained the strength to change her life from many influences in her life. I still watch reruns of Little House on the Prairie so reading about the other actors and crew was very interesting. She had such a different upbringing - and life - than I did so it's interesting to read about how the other half lived! As a kid, I lamented my boring small village upbringing with boring run-of-the-mill parents and brother and a drama-free life. As an adult, I look back on it and thank God for it - especially when I read books like this.
LOADS OF INSIDE INFO ON LITTLE HOUSE AND SHOCKING STORIES FROM HER LIFE
Talk about your tell all books. Allison Arngrim does not hold back. She covers in good detail the environment in which she grew up and many experiences of her time on Little House. Her unorthodox living situation was not a shock to me. It doesn’t surprise me how the liberals in Hollywood choose to live. She grew up in an apartment building living in somewhat poor living conditions. At one point during Little House her parents had to ask her to help buy food so the family wouldn’t starve. She seemed to be left alone for the most part with very unattached parents. The most shocking revelation is about her older brother Stefan Arngrim. He was the kid on Land of the Giants. Starting in his young teen years he began to molest Allison frequently for years by forcing her to have intercourse with him. When she finally threatened him with criminal charges he stopped. He was also a huge drug addict. Her parents refused to believe her about the abuse and they were oblivious to his drug use. He later married a very young girl that look exactly like Allison. He also admitted to Allison that he abused her and that is was the best sex he ever had. Stefan Arngrim is one sick dude. Michael Landon twice dumped a wife for a new girl. He drank heavy liquor on the set of Little House. And in a cringe revelation he didn’t wear underwear under his very tight pants. Sounds like Hollywood to me. The crew on Little House were heavy drinkers. Many of the adult cast used extremely foul language around the kids on the set. Sounds like Hollywood to me. Melissa Gilbert was a good friend to Allison. She warned Allison to beware of Melissa Sue Anderson (to be called Missy in the rest of the review as this was her nickname on the set). Melissa said Missy would “kill you” and is “evil”. Melissa had Allison’s back when some of the girls on the set were out to get Allison. Missy was very unfriendly to Melissa and Allison. It seems she may have had serious issues with her mother that caused this. Missy was quite rude to Allison even though Allison tried to reach out to her and be a good friend. Missy hated Radames Pera whom she was to marry in a storyline. Since Missy hated him they dropped Pera and went with the Mary goes blind storyline instead. These are some examples of the things you will find out in this book. This should whet your appetite for more. And there is lots more so don’t hesitate to buy this book.
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