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Back to the Prairie: A Home Remade, A Life Rediscovered
The New York Times bestselling author and star of Little House on the Prairie returns with a hilarious and heartfelt memoir chronicling her journey from Hollywood to a ramshackle house in the Catskills during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Known for her childhood role as Laura Ingalls Wilder on the classic NBC show Little House on the Prairie , Melissa Gilbert has spent nearly her entire life in Hollywood. From Dancing with the Stars to a turn in politics, she was always on the lookout for her next project. She just had no idea that her latest one would be completely life changing.
When her husband introduces her to the wilds of rural Michigan, Melissa begins to fall back in love with nature. And when work takes them to New York, they find a rustic cottage in the Catskill Mountains to call home. But “rustic” is a generous description for the state of the house, requiring a lot of blood, sweat, and tears for the newlyweds to make habitable.
When the pandemic descends on the world, it further nudges Melissa out of the spotlight and into the woods. She trades Botox treatments for DIY projects, power lunching for gardening and raising chickens, and soon her life is rediscovered anew in her own little house in the Catskills.
Known for her childhood role as Laura Ingalls Wilder on the classic NBC show Little House on the Prairie , Melissa Gilbert has spent nearly her entire life in Hollywood. From Dancing with the Stars to a turn in politics, she was always on the lookout for her next project. She just had no idea that her latest one would be completely life changing.
When her husband introduces her to the wilds of rural Michigan, Melissa begins to fall back in love with nature. And when work takes them to New York, they find a rustic cottage in the Catskill Mountains to call home. But “rustic” is a generous description for the state of the house, requiring a lot of blood, sweat, and tears for the newlyweds to make habitable.
When the pandemic descends on the world, it further nudges Melissa out of the spotlight and into the woods. She trades Botox treatments for DIY projects, power lunching for gardening and raising chickens, and soon her life is rediscovered anew in her own little house in the Catskills.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published May 10, 2022
345 people are currently reading
6551 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 623 reviews
May 12, 2022
I was expecting a book about leaving the Hollywood life for a rustic life in the woods, raising chickens and growing your own vegetables. Instead, this is yet another book by someone who feels the need to share her politics with the world. Okay, everyone gets that Melissa Gilbert is not just "liberal" but LIBERAL in shiny, flashing neon. She hates Donald Trump and called him every name she could think of (or most likely heard her friends use). The derogatory use of politics in a book that is not supposed to be about politics is always a 1-star rating from me, no matter which side of the aisle the author is on.
The reader is treated to her love for Anthony Fauci and her total buy-in of all of the Covid hysteria from wearing gloves on her flight to Los Angeles for back surgery (in first class, yet she has no money) to making her son quarantine for two weeks in an RV in her yard after he went to protest for George Floyd (but not making her husband do the same after he was exposed to someone with Covid). She practically had a nervous meltdown while eating in a restaurant because she was seated near a HEPA filter and someone in the room sneezed. She even went to the movies and ate popcorn under her mask. She wrote about gaming the system to get vaccinated and then had to say that her husband who received the Janssen shot (which is bad) had side effects but she and her son who had Moderna (which is good) were just fine.
Melissa also writes about her love for cooking and how she once wrote a "bestselling cookbook". Yet, she also goes through this same cookbook and says she cooked her way through the recipes as she was craving high-calorie, carb-filled foods. This came across that she had never eaten any of the foods in the cookbook which made me read the three paragraphs again. It could be read that she was simply revisiting the recipes but this time, it came across as shilling for readers who hadn't bought the cookbook to go buy it! The entire book comes across that way. The author constantly says she has no money (yet is constantly buying things such as an RV and La Mer face cream). She claims her husband has no money but he bought her a crossbow because they are "vehemently" against guns. I think the author simply wants to make a buck. Glad this was a library borrow and not something I purchased for myself.
The reader is treated to her love for Anthony Fauci and her total buy-in of all of the Covid hysteria from wearing gloves on her flight to Los Angeles for back surgery (in first class, yet she has no money) to making her son quarantine for two weeks in an RV in her yard after he went to protest for George Floyd (but not making her husband do the same after he was exposed to someone with Covid). She practically had a nervous meltdown while eating in a restaurant because she was seated near a HEPA filter and someone in the room sneezed. She even went to the movies and ate popcorn under her mask. She wrote about gaming the system to get vaccinated and then had to say that her husband who received the Janssen shot (which is bad) had side effects but she and her son who had Moderna (which is good) were just fine.
Melissa also writes about her love for cooking and how she once wrote a "bestselling cookbook". Yet, she also goes through this same cookbook and says she cooked her way through the recipes as she was craving high-calorie, carb-filled foods. This came across that she had never eaten any of the foods in the cookbook which made me read the three paragraphs again. It could be read that she was simply revisiting the recipes but this time, it came across as shilling for readers who hadn't bought the cookbook to go buy it! The entire book comes across that way. The author constantly says she has no money (yet is constantly buying things such as an RV and La Mer face cream). She claims her husband has no money but he bought her a crossbow because they are "vehemently" against guns. I think the author simply wants to make a buck. Glad this was a library borrow and not something I purchased for myself.
April 26, 2022
Although grateful for being a winner in the giveaway for this book, I'm disappointed in how it turned out.
Having read one of Melissa's previous books, I thought it would be fun to read about her life with her actor husband and their adventure buying a run down cabin. But, a few chapters in, I realized this was a little bit of cabin talk mixed with her disdain of Trump, all things conservative and running for congress because they needed another liberal to do the job right.
When I got to page 107 and she started praising Dr. Anthony Fauci, I realized that Melissa and I would have to part ways. As I flipped through the 2nd half of the book, I landed on a page where her son marched in one of the violent gatherings supporting George Floyd, her praise for the vaccination and constant talk about COVID.
Between talking about her constant ailments, liberal agenda, the "F" word and half the book being about COVID, she could have written a small booklet about the cabin and I think I would have loved it.
Thankfully this book was free.
Having read one of Melissa's previous books, I thought it would be fun to read about her life with her actor husband and their adventure buying a run down cabin. But, a few chapters in, I realized this was a little bit of cabin talk mixed with her disdain of Trump, all things conservative and running for congress because they needed another liberal to do the job right.
When I got to page 107 and she started praising Dr. Anthony Fauci, I realized that Melissa and I would have to part ways. As I flipped through the 2nd half of the book, I landed on a page where her son marched in one of the violent gatherings supporting George Floyd, her praise for the vaccination and constant talk about COVID.
Between talking about her constant ailments, liberal agenda, the "F" word and half the book being about COVID, she could have written a small booklet about the cabin and I think I would have loved it.
Thankfully this book was free.
May 16, 2024
Back To The Prairie is this month’s book club book. It’s about Melissa Gilbert’s journey to create a more authentic life by slowing down and connecting with nature.
I especially enjoyed this choice as I’ve moved into a second act in my career/life since Covid and am absolutely appreciating the opportunity to live at a slower pace.
Things that resonated with me:
💚 the call to ‘dolce far niente’; the beauty of doing nothing and the benefits (physically, mentally and psychologically) that occur when we make idleness a priority.
💚 the question Melissa asked: “Do you live to work? Or do you work to live?”
💚 pressing pause to consider the nonstop, do-or-die compulsion to work that has been stressing and consuming me
💚 this quote: “So much of what doesn’t work in life has to do with an absence of love.”
💚 thinking about the problems that arise when there’s an absence of compassion and kindness
💚 learning to lean into a problem rather than turning away
💚 wisdom gleaned from the pandemic; we truly were given a chance to see the consequences of our disregard for our homes and each other; we truly were asked to consider what really matters/what we need to do to survive from here on
💚 the warning about not getting caught up in the craziness again; the craziness of having too much, doing too much, overspending, overdoing …
💚 a chance to consider that I may have misophonia…
💚 choosing to look past the ‘crap’ and see the heart of everything/opportunities
I’m thankful for an opportunity to belong to this wonderful group that cherishes each other and encourages each other to embrace creativity, nature and community.
I especially enjoyed this choice as I’ve moved into a second act in my career/life since Covid and am absolutely appreciating the opportunity to live at a slower pace.
Things that resonated with me:
💚 the call to ‘dolce far niente’; the beauty of doing nothing and the benefits (physically, mentally and psychologically) that occur when we make idleness a priority.
💚 the question Melissa asked: “Do you live to work? Or do you work to live?”
💚 pressing pause to consider the nonstop, do-or-die compulsion to work that has been stressing and consuming me
💚 this quote: “So much of what doesn’t work in life has to do with an absence of love.”
💚 thinking about the problems that arise when there’s an absence of compassion and kindness
💚 learning to lean into a problem rather than turning away
💚 wisdom gleaned from the pandemic; we truly were given a chance to see the consequences of our disregard for our homes and each other; we truly were asked to consider what really matters/what we need to do to survive from here on
💚 the warning about not getting caught up in the craziness again; the craziness of having too much, doing too much, overspending, overdoing …
💚 a chance to consider that I may have misophonia…
💚 choosing to look past the ‘crap’ and see the heart of everything/opportunities
I’m thankful for an opportunity to belong to this wonderful group that cherishes each other and encourages each other to embrace creativity, nature and community.
June 4, 2022
I was expecting a book about remodeling a rundown home, and bonding during covid. There was a bit of that, but there was way more political agenda talk. I don't care about Melissa's hate of guns, Trump, and religion. I also don't care about her love of vaccines, Faucci, and George Floyd.
If you are going to write a political book, at least let the reader know what they are signing up for. A huge disappointment! Glad I didn't pay to read this.
I have a new dislike for her now. As I have always been told, it's best not to bring up politics or religion. I have a whole new view of her now, and honestly don't feel she is a good person.
If you are going to write a political book, at least let the reader know what they are signing up for. A huge disappointment! Glad I didn't pay to read this.
I have a new dislike for her now. As I have always been told, it's best not to bring up politics or religion. I have a whole new view of her now, and honestly don't feel she is a good person.
April 29, 2024
Not a fan.
How do you champion love love love and verbally obliterate 50% of the people that you’re talking to. No thanks friend. I’ll pass on that one. I had such hopes for this one - and unfortunately was left irritated and empty.
How do you champion love love love and verbally obliterate 50% of the people that you’re talking to. No thanks friend. I’ll pass on that one. I had such hopes for this one - and unfortunately was left irritated and empty.
January 30, 2022
I was excited to begin reading this book. I like reading autobiographies and getting a glimpse into different perspectives and lifestyles which may be far different from mine, while discovering similarities along the way.
What I liked most about this book is simply Melissa. Her character shines through. She seems approachable, warm, and authentic. She details the journey of buying a property in the Catskills with her husband with the intent to fix it up, personalize it, and make it authentically their own. She takes us with her on this wonderfully personal journey during Covid-19. She shares anecdotes, thoughts, lessons learned, and even recipes. This is more like reading letters from a good friend than a Hollywood memoir, and I found that refreshing.
What I liked most about this book is simply Melissa. Her character shines through. She seems approachable, warm, and authentic. She details the journey of buying a property in the Catskills with her husband with the intent to fix it up, personalize it, and make it authentically their own. She takes us with her on this wonderfully personal journey during Covid-19. She shares anecdotes, thoughts, lessons learned, and even recipes. This is more like reading letters from a good friend than a Hollywood memoir, and I found that refreshing.
March 22, 2022
I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. Very fun fasinating book. I enjoyed the story of how her and her just fixed up an old country house. Very entertaining. I will add on another note that I absolutely don't agree with her politically. Just a broken record of liberalism. So that was mostly skipped over. I wanted to hear more about Little a house stuff.
January 24, 2022
I grew up watching Little House, and have read Melissa Gilbert's previous memoir about her time on the show. I love that this book is different. She is so approachable and relatable especially in a time when the world has been turned upside down, and nothing is like we knew it. It was wonderful to read her experience of moving to a country life, and I think part of my connection to her experience is that I grew up in Michigan, so I understand her fascination (love!) with nature and being in the woods where you hear nothing but the sound of animals and crisp leaves. It was nice to share her experience with the pandemic and all the craziness that the last two years have brought. And gosh darn it, I learned a lot from her including how to scare off bears, how to raise chickens (clean their bums!) and recipes for midwest-type comfort foods.I love that this memoir is not another unapproachable Hollywood star telling the world about her fame and wealth. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book in advance. I loved it, and if Melissa and Tim would like to be BFFs, I'm open. :)
May 29, 2022
I love Little House books and also devoured Hilarie Burtons book. I read this book consecutively with Laura Ingall Wilders Little House in the Ozarks. That book is a compilation of Laura's newspaper writings while living in Missouri. It is humble, moral, inspiriting and relevant even today.
So I was really looking forward to this book! Even after reading the negative reviews that centered on her political views. I thought, no big deal, I know who I like and especially considering the epic failures of Biden's administration, I'll just skim over her political comments and get some humor out of it.
There was no way to ignore them! It's one thing to be on the other side of the aisle, and another to refer to Trump as a big, fat orange turd with some "F" adjectives thrown in. In another chapter she actually ranted against his supporters. These same supporters, I would bet my life on, are the Little House fans. Conservative, hard working, middle America. You did not earn the right (she constantly said this I assume to explain her temper tantrums against Trump) to knock us just because you played a part on the series and moved to a country home late in life. We've lived it our whole lives. It only exposes you as the spoiled Hollywood brat you've been described as over the years
So I was really looking forward to this book! Even after reading the negative reviews that centered on her political views. I thought, no big deal, I know who I like and especially considering the epic failures of Biden's administration, I'll just skim over her political comments and get some humor out of it.
There was no way to ignore them! It's one thing to be on the other side of the aisle, and another to refer to Trump as a big, fat orange turd with some "F" adjectives thrown in. In another chapter she actually ranted against his supporters. These same supporters, I would bet my life on, are the Little House fans. Conservative, hard working, middle America. You did not earn the right (she constantly said this I assume to explain her temper tantrums against Trump) to knock us just because you played a part on the series and moved to a country home late in life. We've lived it our whole lives. It only exposes you as the spoiled Hollywood brat you've been described as over the years
January 16, 2022
Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read and review “Back to the Prairie “. I wanted to love this book because I have been a fan of Melissa Gilbert since I was a child. But, I found this book to be boring. She mentioned how she and her husband were having financial issues and it felt like she wrote this for the sole purpose for financial gain. I was very disappointed.
May 12, 2022
Meh
Disappointing, unless you like- Hollywood in the Catskills. Why do all Hollywood people have so little wisdom, depth and are so full of themselves. Save your $14.99!
Disappointing, unless you like- Hollywood in the Catskills. Why do all Hollywood people have so little wisdom, depth and are so full of themselves. Save your $14.99!
August 26, 2022
A liberal elitist spews hatred toward conservatives that love her childhood image while trying out a real-life version of The Egg and I or Green Acres. It's all extremely disappointing as Melissa Gilbert makes a major error in threading the book with anti-Republican hate speech, then tries to tell us she has learned that life is really all about "love, love, love." Melissa is a complete, total hypocrite that has no sense of who she really is but wants to live a fairytale version of her Little House image. Based on this book she succeeded in spending lots of money to put together the property but failed to do anything relating to the moral foundation of the Wilder books.
There are some great stories in the book, which covers about the last ten years of her life while oddly switching back and forth to stories from younger years (and other books). In spots it's well written but at times confusing. She rambles on about nothing, then shortchanges on important details. She then insists on including recipes (dumb), two chapters on animals (groan), her garden (total waste of our time), the pandemic (nothing all of us didn't go through), and a lot of her medical ailments (ok, she's getting old). Everything is very plain and simplistic, most of it not worthy of inclusion in a book. It appears she pitched it to the publisher as a pandemic change of life story, but so much of it was wasted space instead of giving us any depth regarding her career or relationships.
Her husband Timothy Busfield does come across as a sensible hero as a background player, but it sounds like he is just as liberal and leftist as Gilbert. While they both try to pretend to be average citizens concerned about the needs of others, in truth they demean and insult about half the U.S. population by the non-stop criticism of Trump, those who voted for him, and professionals in his administration. Gilbert pretends to be objective but is far from it, showing her true colors as a bigoted, hatemongering, racist and intolerant elitist. Remember this was the woman who used to be the head of all actors in Hollywood, grew up acting from young childhood, and her parents/grandparents were in show business--she has no clue what reality is for the average American, and even though her life took trips through Michigan and upper New York, she appears totally unempathetic to the views of anyone who she doesn't understand. She doesn't take the time to see others viewpoints, and is one of those types that think climate change is the greatest issue in the country right now, ignoring a dozen other more important topics involved in everyday life. Typical liberal Hollywood elitist (yes, I'm repeating that word intentionally in this review).
She doesn't even live the life she claims to support. Throughout the book she is spending to excess, having more food options than the average American, flies whenever she wants and even considered taking a private jet for no good reason, is more privileged than anyone she criticizes, and makes choices that contradict her liberal views, acting almost conservative at times in her everyday farm life. She goes off on the George Floyd murder as being the worst thing of the year and distorts the January 6th Capitol riots while totally ignoring the much worse Black Lives Matter riots where dozens killed and billions of property destroyed by protesters that should have been arrested. Why does she fail to mention the real destruction of 2020? Her son was one of the rioters in New York, claiming that "everyone wore masks" and it was "peaceful." Of course that is totally false and misinformation. Even disinformation since she appears to be spinning propaganda.
She blames pretty much any issue on Trump and is anxious about everything. She considers it "dire" that "COVID, climate change, hatred, and politics had made life in the U.S." out of control. Maybe out of control for her, but for many average Americans life was just fine during those years. Then she claims to relax when Biden is put into office with his "competent" administration. Ha! Only a left-wing clueless political hack would think things have improved with Biden, with skyrocketing inflation, border crisis, Americans killed in Afghanistan and Ukraine due to his orders to not have troops, dramatic delay in COVID vaccines and treatment, clueless White House staff, the destruction of our First Amendment rights, and instability in the world.
I didn't vote for Trump but even I know things were a lot better under that wacky tweeter Trump than during the 18 months since Biden has taken office. Gilbert needs to seriously look inside herself, talk to her God (who she calls female), and realize that she is nothing like little Laura Ingalls Wilder no matter how many chickens she has on her farm. Instead of hanging out with her extremely liberal friends and family (including wacko sister Sara), Melissa needs to learn to truly go "Back to the Prairie" and the godly morals that the Ingalls stood for.
There are some great stories in the book, which covers about the last ten years of her life while oddly switching back and forth to stories from younger years (and other books). In spots it's well written but at times confusing. She rambles on about nothing, then shortchanges on important details. She then insists on including recipes (dumb), two chapters on animals (groan), her garden (total waste of our time), the pandemic (nothing all of us didn't go through), and a lot of her medical ailments (ok, she's getting old). Everything is very plain and simplistic, most of it not worthy of inclusion in a book. It appears she pitched it to the publisher as a pandemic change of life story, but so much of it was wasted space instead of giving us any depth regarding her career or relationships.
Her husband Timothy Busfield does come across as a sensible hero as a background player, but it sounds like he is just as liberal and leftist as Gilbert. While they both try to pretend to be average citizens concerned about the needs of others, in truth they demean and insult about half the U.S. population by the non-stop criticism of Trump, those who voted for him, and professionals in his administration. Gilbert pretends to be objective but is far from it, showing her true colors as a bigoted, hatemongering, racist and intolerant elitist. Remember this was the woman who used to be the head of all actors in Hollywood, grew up acting from young childhood, and her parents/grandparents were in show business--she has no clue what reality is for the average American, and even though her life took trips through Michigan and upper New York, she appears totally unempathetic to the views of anyone who she doesn't understand. She doesn't take the time to see others viewpoints, and is one of those types that think climate change is the greatest issue in the country right now, ignoring a dozen other more important topics involved in everyday life. Typical liberal Hollywood elitist (yes, I'm repeating that word intentionally in this review).
She doesn't even live the life she claims to support. Throughout the book she is spending to excess, having more food options than the average American, flies whenever she wants and even considered taking a private jet for no good reason, is more privileged than anyone she criticizes, and makes choices that contradict her liberal views, acting almost conservative at times in her everyday farm life. She goes off on the George Floyd murder as being the worst thing of the year and distorts the January 6th Capitol riots while totally ignoring the much worse Black Lives Matter riots where dozens killed and billions of property destroyed by protesters that should have been arrested. Why does she fail to mention the real destruction of 2020? Her son was one of the rioters in New York, claiming that "everyone wore masks" and it was "peaceful." Of course that is totally false and misinformation. Even disinformation since she appears to be spinning propaganda.
She blames pretty much any issue on Trump and is anxious about everything. She considers it "dire" that "COVID, climate change, hatred, and politics had made life in the U.S." out of control. Maybe out of control for her, but for many average Americans life was just fine during those years. Then she claims to relax when Biden is put into office with his "competent" administration. Ha! Only a left-wing clueless political hack would think things have improved with Biden, with skyrocketing inflation, border crisis, Americans killed in Afghanistan and Ukraine due to his orders to not have troops, dramatic delay in COVID vaccines and treatment, clueless White House staff, the destruction of our First Amendment rights, and instability in the world.
I didn't vote for Trump but even I know things were a lot better under that wacky tweeter Trump than during the 18 months since Biden has taken office. Gilbert needs to seriously look inside herself, talk to her God (who she calls female), and realize that she is nothing like little Laura Ingalls Wilder no matter how many chickens she has on her farm. Instead of hanging out with her extremely liberal friends and family (including wacko sister Sara), Melissa needs to learn to truly go "Back to the Prairie" and the godly morals that the Ingalls stood for.
Read
June 29, 2022First of all, this book isn't politically motivated. Trump is mentioned a few times, but there are no long-winded political hate speeches in this book. Clearly Gilbert is disappointed with the last administration, and who can blame her? She was president of SAG, and ran for Congress. She is an intelligent human being who knows her way around politics, which certainly cannot be said for "the orange turd." In any case, the vast majority of the book revolves around Melissa's bond with her husband and children, and how they were able to create a comfortable life for themselves during the pandemic. For a person formerly known as "Spenderella," Gilbert has adapted well to a quieter life of gardening, knitting, and befriending wildlife. The woman is also not afraid to toot her own horn, and that's something other women should applaud.
I enjoyed this book. It was warm and cozy and hopeful, despite the circumstances. She is a lucky woman with a good husband and loving family, and we all should aspire to have the same.
I enjoyed this book. It was warm and cozy and hopeful, despite the circumstances. She is a lucky woman with a good husband and loving family, and we all should aspire to have the same.
May 18, 2022
Hey Melissa Gilbert, you get a big number one fail from me! You simply wrote this repetitive liberal laced boring tale in order to make money for a failed acting career. Why do you think we wish to read about your opinions (which are actually other opinions repeated by you) on your political B.S.?
Your writing is equal to your success in your acting. I won't waste my time with your books again.
Your writing is equal to your success in your acting. I won't waste my time with your books again.
June 7, 2022
What a heartwarming book that Halfpint wrote for us! Super fun to learn about Melissa's pandemic experience and how it changed her perspective on slowing down and getting back to her prairie roots. Of course, as with any memoir, Melissa does share about her views of politics and vaccinations and everything else we were dealing with in 2020, but it didn't go overboard in my opinion. I enjoyed it from beginning to end and have greater respect for my television sister, Melissa Gilbert.
February 11, 2022
The book showed the choices Melissa made throughout her life. Her choices is what created her to be the way she is. Each choice shapes who she is becoming.
Back to the Prairie, was a choice her and her husband made, not really knowing why but knowing they should do it. They spent a year,fixing up the house they bought in upstate New York. Then the unexpected pandemic hit, and they moved out to the country and faced the same things we did. They had to change their way of life just like we all did.
She shares the struggles, how they had to change their mindset, learn new things, like how to garden, raise chickens, being isolated, and when she needs a doctor or dentist, they are closed. Throughout her life and her book, as she is reliving memories, I saw that when she was going through things, it was choices she was making, but when she was sharing the memories, we could see the results of the choices. I think many people are going to enjoy reading this book, because they are going to be able to relate to it. Life is about choices, memories is about the results of the choices, and the little girl on Little House on the Prairie is all grown up, and the star we loved to watch, has another side which comes through in this book. If you didn't grow up on Little House on the Prairie, you will still enjoy the book because everyone makes choices, everyone has memories, and for me it wasn't anything I thought about until reading this book. It highlights how alike we all are, even thought we are all so different.
I received an ARC from Gallery Books through NetGalley.
Back to the Prairie, was a choice her and her husband made, not really knowing why but knowing they should do it. They spent a year,fixing up the house they bought in upstate New York. Then the unexpected pandemic hit, and they moved out to the country and faced the same things we did. They had to change their way of life just like we all did.
She shares the struggles, how they had to change their mindset, learn new things, like how to garden, raise chickens, being isolated, and when she needs a doctor or dentist, they are closed. Throughout her life and her book, as she is reliving memories, I saw that when she was going through things, it was choices she was making, but when she was sharing the memories, we could see the results of the choices. I think many people are going to enjoy reading this book, because they are going to be able to relate to it. Life is about choices, memories is about the results of the choices, and the little girl on Little House on the Prairie is all grown up, and the star we loved to watch, has another side which comes through in this book. If you didn't grow up on Little House on the Prairie, you will still enjoy the book because everyone makes choices, everyone has memories, and for me it wasn't anything I thought about until reading this book. It highlights how alike we all are, even thought we are all so different.
I received an ARC from Gallery Books through NetGalley.
May 29, 2022
Melissa suffers from an inflated ego and a self-righteous personality. From her position of privilege, and without any snippets of humility, she fails in her attempt to portray herself as a woman of the earth and savior of mankind...
July 3, 2022
In spite of the many negative reviews, I found Melissa Gilbert's "Back to the Prairie" a charming memoir of her life after divorce and financial chaos, crazy dating, meeting Tim and their romance, meeting children from previous marriages, then marriage (just the two of them in CA), moving to Michigan and finally a NYC apartment.
During these years Melissa gave up her quest for the perfect body, the Botox, frequent hair color, and so much more. She was accepting the aging process with grace and dignity; Tim was 10 years older and truly loved her as she was. He was not looking for arm candy.
While living in Michigan, Melissa ran for Congress, but dropped out of the race due to health problems which had plagued her for years.
As their lives changed and their desire for more space than NYC offered, they began searching for a retreat from the hustle and bustle of the City. Tim finally found an 1800's farmhouse on 15 acres in the Catskill's which has been vacant for decades. When they went through it, they were stunned to find everything was left in place . . . as if the family had simply walked out. It was filthy, junky, and cluttered. Everything would have to be trashed. They bought the property as is and went about the clean out and clean up. Then began to redo, update and a year of DIY work and remodeling before they could move in and make it their home.
Then COVID hit and lives changed for everyone. The lived off their land, had chickens, fruit trees, etc. Tim enlarged the garden and Melissa canned more produce to ensure they had enough to get them through the winter. She made the grocery list, but Tim always went shopping. Her paranoia surprised me. She had been such a friendly, public person. I found it unusual she wanted to stay home when most of us suffered from isolation during those two years and actually looked forward to masking up for a grocery store or dry cleaners or hardware store trip which followed all safety procedures in place. (Even my vehicle thrived on each trip after sitting in the garage for a few days!)
For the most part, this was an enjoyable, quick read. Have to admit I was somewhat disappointed by Melissa Gilbert's frequent use of F-bombs, which were unnecessary to make her points. (To me) That simply indicated she lacked the language skills necessary for writing her thoughts in a cohesive manner. I have no problem with her national politics (like so many other reviewers). She has her opinions and chose to write them.
Gilbert shined when describing their 15 acres in the Catskills during the different seasons or at various times of the daylight hours.
She was happy sharing recipes for comfort foods. Not sure how many actually eat those heavy foods, but she admitted to gaining 30 lbs. the first winter! Their move was successful, and they were happy at the Cabbage.
Priorities had changed and they realized the Cabbage was home and the NYC apartment was the place they visited for weekend entertainment only.
During these years Melissa gave up her quest for the perfect body, the Botox, frequent hair color, and so much more. She was accepting the aging process with grace and dignity; Tim was 10 years older and truly loved her as she was. He was not looking for arm candy.
While living in Michigan, Melissa ran for Congress, but dropped out of the race due to health problems which had plagued her for years.
As their lives changed and their desire for more space than NYC offered, they began searching for a retreat from the hustle and bustle of the City. Tim finally found an 1800's farmhouse on 15 acres in the Catskill's which has been vacant for decades. When they went through it, they were stunned to find everything was left in place . . . as if the family had simply walked out. It was filthy, junky, and cluttered. Everything would have to be trashed. They bought the property as is and went about the clean out and clean up. Then began to redo, update and a year of DIY work and remodeling before they could move in and make it their home.
Then COVID hit and lives changed for everyone. The lived off their land, had chickens, fruit trees, etc. Tim enlarged the garden and Melissa canned more produce to ensure they had enough to get them through the winter. She made the grocery list, but Tim always went shopping. Her paranoia surprised me. She had been such a friendly, public person. I found it unusual she wanted to stay home when most of us suffered from isolation during those two years and actually looked forward to masking up for a grocery store or dry cleaners or hardware store trip which followed all safety procedures in place. (Even my vehicle thrived on each trip after sitting in the garage for a few days!)
For the most part, this was an enjoyable, quick read. Have to admit I was somewhat disappointed by Melissa Gilbert's frequent use of F-bombs, which were unnecessary to make her points. (To me) That simply indicated she lacked the language skills necessary for writing her thoughts in a cohesive manner. I have no problem with her national politics (like so many other reviewers). She has her opinions and chose to write them.
Gilbert shined when describing their 15 acres in the Catskills during the different seasons or at various times of the daylight hours.
She was happy sharing recipes for comfort foods. Not sure how many actually eat those heavy foods, but she admitted to gaining 30 lbs. the first winter! Their move was successful, and they were happy at the Cabbage.
Priorities had changed and they realized the Cabbage was home and the NYC apartment was the place they visited for weekend entertainment only.
May 15, 2022
I have been a fan of Melissa's since the start of Little House on the Prairie. We have a lot in common, personality wise, and we were both adopted. I had even been told I looke like her. So I really wanted to like this book. I did like parts. Being a Michigander it was nice to read about her time spent there. I know the areas she lived in. Have family that live in Howell. But that is where she started talking about politics. I didn't like what she had to say about those that disagreed with her views.( Where they lived, that would have been the majority. )
The fact there was so much about politics in this book turned me off from enjoying it fully. I never have cared what celebrities think politically, and didn't see the need to have it in this book. I did enjoy learning of Melissa and Tims relationship, it was sweet. The flipping of their home in upstate NY was a fun read. I could have done without some of the language she used. She also talked a lot about her and Tim's quarantine during Covid, and even then brought politics in.Lastly, since we are the same age, I could relate with some of her feelings of aging and learning the important things in life. I am glad that she has finally found her soul mate. And that she is finally, truly happy. So I would say if you agree with her politics, it won't bother you to read it. I wouldn't tell anyone not to read it, but I also wouldn't say hey you really have to read this.
The fact there was so much about politics in this book turned me off from enjoying it fully. I never have cared what celebrities think politically, and didn't see the need to have it in this book. I did enjoy learning of Melissa and Tims relationship, it was sweet. The flipping of their home in upstate NY was a fun read. I could have done without some of the language she used. She also talked a lot about her and Tim's quarantine during Covid, and even then brought politics in.Lastly, since we are the same age, I could relate with some of her feelings of aging and learning the important things in life. I am glad that she has finally found her soul mate. And that she is finally, truly happy. So I would say if you agree with her politics, it won't bother you to read it. I wouldn't tell anyone not to read it, but I also wouldn't say hey you really have to read this.
July 15, 2022
I had to leave a few words here after reading some other low star reviews. My review has nothing to do with her political views and including them seems normal, since it is about her and personal views are a part of the person.
I was just bored. Financial problems were discussed, but the book was full of personal assistants, flights everywhere, buying an RV, having an electrician hook up a special electricial box at her home for said RV, etc. Privilege abounded and was so thick it was hard to get through. I just thought this was going to be more about the farm and actually working it and less waxing philosophical about sunshine and deer.
I was just bored. Financial problems were discussed, but the book was full of personal assistants, flights everywhere, buying an RV, having an electrician hook up a special electricial box at her home for said RV, etc. Privilege abounded and was so thick it was hard to get through. I just thought this was going to be more about the farm and actually working it and less waxing philosophical about sunshine and deer.
August 19, 2022
I found myself liking her less and less as a person the more I read so I stopped reading.
June 12, 2022
Little House on the Prairie has a really special place in my heart. I watched this show religiously after my mom passed away. When I heard that Melissa Gilbert was coming out with another book, I knew I had to get it! (I still need to read her others). I was not disappointed. Though I felt like some of the stories jumped around, everything was connected in its own way. I was really inspired with her move to the “Cabbage”, and hope to one day be able to do something similar. Her passion for life, love, family, friendship, and joy was inspiring and genuine. This book made me smile and cry, so that’s a win for me. I wasn’t sure if this was going to become a favorite for me, but I’m happy to say that it has!
May 30, 2022
A really entertaining memoir about Melissa Gilbert's time just before and during the pandemic as she meets a new man, gets married, moves to a house in the country, deals with chronic pain and learns to appreciate the simpler things in life.
I really enjoyed hearing how passionate she is about politics and veterans (she ran for Congress but had to quit because of her health). She talks about the pain of learning about a parent's suicide late in life and the pressure to maintain Hollywood beauty standards as aging actress (among other things). Very relatable and heartfelt and great on audio read by Melissa herself, with a foreword by her husband.
I really enjoyed hearing how passionate she is about politics and veterans (she ran for Congress but had to quit because of her health). She talks about the pain of learning about a parent's suicide late in life and the pressure to maintain Hollywood beauty standards as aging actress (among other things). Very relatable and heartfelt and great on audio read by Melissa herself, with a foreword by her husband.
October 27, 2024
DNF at 45%
I tried! I wanted this book by Melissa Gilbert to be so much that it was never intended to be . This was supposed to be a wonderfully funny memoir about her new life on an old farmstead. What I got to read instead was her disgusting use of every name in the book for a past president, a hateful diatribe about conservatives, Hollyweird new ageism and name dropping. It’s too bad that being on such a wholesome show didn’t teach her more about values and faith.
I tried! I wanted this book by Melissa Gilbert to be so much that it was never intended to be . This was supposed to be a wonderfully funny memoir about her new life on an old farmstead. What I got to read instead was her disgusting use of every name in the book for a past president, a hateful diatribe about conservatives, Hollyweird new ageism and name dropping. It’s too bad that being on such a wholesome show didn’t teach her more about values and faith.
October 31, 2022
Being a fan of Laura Ingalls aka Melissa Gilbert in Little House on the Prairie I was excited to see this book at our local library. However, I was disappointed as it’s more about her liberal views, her failed marriages or relationships, her aches and pain than learning to live in a rustic old home with contentment and peace. This book was a disappointment.
April 22, 2024
I read this book for a book club I am in. I enjoyed learning about her meeting her husband and her life basically in the last 10-12 years.
I enjoyed parts, others not so much. It is more on how they lived through COVID, some politicalness, how they bought a house in the boonies and fixed it up into their home, and how much she really enjoys animals. In all I enjoyed the book, how she went from knowing nothing in some aspects (cleaning house, putting together tools, building things from scratch), to how she made herself learn in many other.
Is this book for everyone, no. But since I am a Melissa Gilbert fan, I read it and enjoyed it.
I enjoyed parts, others not so much. It is more on how they lived through COVID, some politicalness, how they bought a house in the boonies and fixed it up into their home, and how much she really enjoys animals. In all I enjoyed the book, how she went from knowing nothing in some aspects (cleaning house, putting together tools, building things from scratch), to how she made herself learn in many other.
Is this book for everyone, no. But since I am a Melissa Gilbert fan, I read it and enjoyed it.
March 5, 2023
Half Pint married the red head from Thirty-Something and they homesteaded through Covid. Not the most exciting read, but since I listened to Melissa read it, it made it slightly more interesting.
September 17, 2022
I was really excited about reading this as it seemed like it would be such a fun story. I haven’t read much about her life yet. (Need to read her first memoir next ☺️)
Some parts were interesting as she and her husband fixed up a farmhouse, starting raising chickens, etc right around the time Covid hit. However their over-the-top fear and paranoia of Covid got a little ridiculous. They wouldn’t visit any family- kids, grandkids, or their own parents for almost 9 months. One son who did visit was made to quarantine in the RV outside. She talked about wearing a mask forever.🙄
Much of the book was political as she talked about the “peaceful” protests, Biden “saving” the country, and blah blah🤦🏻♀️ I would have enjoyed more about her life not a personal commentary on her opinions of the past 2 years of our country.
Language throughout and I’m frankly not impressed with her life, although I’ll always love her acting as Laura on Little House.
Some parts were interesting as she and her husband fixed up a farmhouse, starting raising chickens, etc right around the time Covid hit. However their over-the-top fear and paranoia of Covid got a little ridiculous. They wouldn’t visit any family- kids, grandkids, or their own parents for almost 9 months. One son who did visit was made to quarantine in the RV outside. She talked about wearing a mask forever.🙄
Much of the book was political as she talked about the “peaceful” protests, Biden “saving” the country, and blah blah🤦🏻♀️ I would have enjoyed more about her life not a personal commentary on her opinions of the past 2 years of our country.
Language throughout and I’m frankly not impressed with her life, although I’ll always love her acting as Laura on Little House.
April 22, 2023
Preachy and patronizing. 2 stars because I read most of it.
September 18, 2025
I was disappointed. I was hoping for some inspiration for living the simple life and more about living off the land. There was some talk about fixing up their new home, learning how to raise chickens, garden etc but a large majority was political chatter. Lots and lots of the book was about Covid and the presidential election. No thanks! I’m not looking for that in a book. We have enough of that coming from the news.
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