Melissa Anderson

David Lynch is one of my favorite directors and I go back and forth about which one of his films is my number one favorite. Currently I think that spot is held by Twin Peaks: The Return, but Inland Empire is a close second. This film is a sprawling, challenging, and often ugly (but in an amazing way) look at Hollywood, acting, and the divisions and contradictions inside our personalities. Rather than trying to "solve" the mysteries of the film or make sense of the narrative (a delightfully show more impossible text), Anderson comes at the film from an "acteurist" philosophy in which the main actress, the amazing Laura Dern, is seen as a co-creator with Lynch. Her feminist, queer, interpretation of the movie mixes in Dern's biography and filmography, current events that happen after the movie was filmed (in particular Harvey Weinstein and the #metoo movement), the connections with Lynch's previous film, Mulholland Drive, and Anderson's personal reactions to all the above. If that sounds messy and nonlinear and sometimes frustrating to you, then you are right on the money, but as a whole, it is a great response to this messy and nonlinear and sometimes frustrating film. It is also a big ole love letter to Laura Dern, and I am all for that. show less

I read this RIGHT after reading Alison Argrim's book and boy was I confused. Alison describes "Missy" as withdrawn, snooty, and going through so many childhood problems of her own that no one really knew her at all. So I was interested to see that MSA saw herself as a pretty outgoing, happy and adjusted young woman. Not saying she isn't but the books couldn't have been more opposite. Perhaps I would have liked this book more if I had read it first, but I went in expecting to find out why MSA show more was so withdrawn from the rest of the cast and was shocked to find out she really didnt view it that way at all show less

When I heard about this book, I literally could not wait to dive into it. I was like a kid on Christmas morning, opening the book with the same type of awe usually afforded to that Red Ryder BB gun or Barbie's deluxe penthouse. So I should probably begin this review with a disclaimer - - I love Little House on the Prairie. I loved the books when I was little, I loved the television show and I love reading about production of the show and what went on behind the scenes.

The Way I See It is show more Melissa Anderson's tale of growing up on the set of one of the most beloved and iconic television shows of the 1970s, from her initial audition to taping her last episode seven years later. The book itself is broken into sections for each year of the show, with specific episodes highlighted. Ms. Anderson recounts behind the scenes tales of everything from a Dinty Moore beef stew overload (what the cast members ate during meal scenes where they had stew) to disputes between co-stars.

Michael Landon and Karen Grassle (the actress who played Caroline Ingalls) would apparently butt heads throughout much of the run of the show. Grassle was a classically trained actress who wished to have a more significant role on the show, against Landon's wishes. Landon himself was revealed as a controlling jokester with a mean streak who could be difficult to work with, particularly once he began an affair with Anderson's stand-in, but who could still remain a compassionate and caring man.

Ms. Anderson herself did not go without a bit of friction, as she recounted the awkwardness between herself and co-star Radames Pera, who played early love interest John Sanderson, and their first kiss.

Ms. Anderson recounts these instances with class and grace, without resorting to mudslinging or name calling that is often peppered in Hollywood memoirs. Also missing from Ms. Anderson's memoir, happily, is the all too tragic tale of alcohol, drugs and other vices that are too common in child actors today. In fact, Ms. Anderson appears to have escaped unscathed from the downside of the entertainment biz and she comes across as a very level headed and secure adult.

I finished this book in two or three days. It was an easy read and fun one, albeit one without dirt and gossip. I very much enjoyed Ms. Anderson's memories of the show once Mary went blind and appreciated how terrified she herself was to take on such an enormous undertaking (and remember, she herself was only fifteen when she had to portray a newly blind teenager, which she did stunningly).

Any readers that are looking for a tabloid type of recounting will be disappointed and I encourage those readers not to pick up this book. For those readers who love and appreciate Little House on the Prairie, this book will be a fun and informative read. As the title suggests, this is not Melissa Anderson's complete biography so don't approach it as such. It's her life during the run of Little House, so it does include the performances she gave on films and television shows between 1974 and 1981 but nothing prior or since.

Was there anything I found disappointing in the book? I do wish there had been more mentioned about the relationship between Ms. Anderson and Melissa Gilbert, who played sisters, as well as with Allison Arngrim, who played Nellie Oleson. I also would have loved reading a behind the scenes recap on each and every single Little House episode but, of course, that would have increased the size of the book exponentially.

All things considered, I enjoyed my time back on the prairie with Ms. Anderson and wouldn't hesitate to recommend the book. show less

A well written book that gives insight to the behind the scenes on "Little House"--Melissa doesn't hide anything, telling us about Michael's affair, Melissa Sue Gilbert's attitude, and the backbiting that went on set side. I liked this book much more than I liked Melissa Sue Gilbert's book. Hers was too sugar coated. This one wasn't.