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Back to the Prairie

By: Melissa Gilbert, Timothy Busfield
Narrated by: Melissa Gilbert
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Publisher's summary

Includes a foreword written and read by Timothy Busfield

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 is 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.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 Half Pint Enterprises. All rights reserved (P)2022 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved
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What listeners say about Back to the Prairie

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transported to a beautiful world

I don't have the Ellicott words like Melissa Gilbert does I don't usually leave reviews I just hit all stars. but I was very moved by this book. it was touching and loving and had me emotional at times. I found Melissa Gilbert's voice very soothing and relaxing my world is very chaotic so to listen to her and tell her story I felt transported with her and really enjoyed listening to her. I'm going to have to look and see if she reads any other books. Just so I can have that climbing relaxing feeling by listening to her voice I grew up with her watching her just like everybody else I can't explain how moved I am by this book

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It could be good, but she tries too hard

This had potential, but Gilbert goes out of her way to tell you how "normal" she is and that she doesn't have a lot of money. I don't care if she had/has millions, the point of her story should not be "we both were broke because of divorces, so look we're just like you!" There's more to it than that, but the incessant pandering to the reader about how much money they didn't have (while at the same time talking about going to NYC multiple times a month when they lived in Ohio), makes it feel disingenuous. Her editors should have given her better advice.

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Authors, please remember that liberals, conservatives, and independents are going to read your books.

I grew up watching Little House, and I’ve read a lot of the books from the show’s actors/actresses. I loved getting to know Melissa Gilbert through this book. I loved the details of her fixer upper, description of covid, foods, hubby, friends, neighbors. But the politics, ish!

I didn’t like the political insults of one party. Covid was terrible for everyone, and while we don’t see eye to eye on politics, it’s important not to over generalize people. As a conservative/independent myself, for example, I took great precautions during covid (N95 masking, vaccines, social distancing,shopping for the vulnerable or covid-infected people). The media and leadership were not completely honest (eg. Fauci admitting the 6 ft rule was not based on data) and they did not release complete facts on vaccines. It’s ok to question leadership, question vaccines, question rules and regulations (regardless of political affiliation). Let’s be open minded to all people.

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Back to the prairie

The narration was wonderful, and the book had some really entertaining funny moments, but it was very political and opinionated. I don’t read books about people and events to learn about politics. If I wanted that I would read a political book. I feel like the opinions, as far as politics were very pushy, and the agenda was very pushed upon you in this book. I feel like books should allow me to form my my own opinions on things, and if it’s a political book, it should be stated. Other than that it was OK. I liked her previous book better, and I wish that one was on Audible.

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4 people found this helpful

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Thank you for sharing this journey with us

I grew up watching Melissa Gilbert on Little House on the Prairie and just love her. I enjoyed her honesty and down to earth honesty in this novel. I was happy to find her again and can’t wait to try the recipes from the book. Best of luck Melissa!

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While told in a sweet way, she clearly got the daily ‘talking points’.

I would have enjoyed this very much if she had left out her derision of people who think differently from her about politics. I feel like I want to tell her to consider her audience. Her personal story was interesting, but not one political statement she made was not straight from the script. Not one original thought about ‘the other side’, just further widening the gap.
I’m very happy she has found real meaning in life and respect her accomplishments. I have followed her from her very beginning. We are about the same age, and LHOTP was like a guiding force in my childhood. The conservative values that LIW taught of helped to mold my belief system that has carried me through life. She and I have found so many of the same things in this life to be what matters. Unbelievable how we can share so many truths and still see things so vastly different.

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Very enjoyable BUT

I really enjoyed this book. Like many others, I grew up with the Laura Ingalls story. I thoroughly enjoyed Melissa‘s journey and cheered for her happy marriage to Timothy. My only regret is that Melissa felt the need to bash our 45th president and insert her strong political views. Please remember that at least half of the people in this country feel differently.

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One of the most entertaining books I’ve ever listened to!

As a fan, I had to listen, but I didn’t want it to end! Thoroughly engaging and refreshing!

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Loved this!

I loved listening to this. Her stories are great and it makes me want to finish watching Little house on the prairie. I'm happy for her and glad I decided to listen to this book. Makes me want to homestead even more.

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OMG

THANK YOU MELISSA FOR THE RECIPES. I WILL HOLD THEM FONDLY IN MY HEART (AND STOMACH ) ❤️ ❤️

FONDLY YOURS, MUCH LOVE ~JANET ~

P.S.I DIDN'T KNOW THAT I HAD SUCH A WONDERFUL GIFT IN YOU SHARING YOUR RECIPES UNTIL THE END OF THE AUDIBLE
" BACK TO THE PRAIRIE "
NOW TO MY NEXT MELISSA GILBERT BOOK. I STARTED WITH THIS ONE AND LOVED IT ❤️❤️❤️

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