Book Review: “The Third Gilmore” by Kelly Bishop

If you’re picking up The Third Gilmore expecting a behind-the-scenes tell-all about Gilmore Girls, you might be surprised…in the best possible way. Kelly Bishop’s memoir is not just a love letter to Emily Gilmore fans, but a beautifully written chronicle of a life well-lived: daring, artistic, progressive, and quietly powerful.

Before Stars Hollow

Long before she became the sharp-tongued matriarch of Friday night dinners, Kelly Bishop was a dancer with pretty big dreams. This memoir spends quite a bit of time on her early years in ballet and Broadway, portraying a woman whose independence and ambition set her apart from the start. Her life in the arts wasn’t glamorous. It was gritty, disciplined, and at times lonely, but it was hers. And she owned it with grace.

A Liberal Spirit in a Conservative Era

One of the most surprising elements of Bishop’s story is just how progressive she was, even in her youth. At a time when women were expected to stay quiet, settle down, and fit into a mold, Kelly chose movement, music, and freedom. Her liberal values and unflinching honesty shine through in her reflections on love, marriage, career, and identity.

Reflections on Grief and Aging

There’s a quiet strength in how Bishop talks about loss, especially the kind that comes later in life. For those of us navigating the grief of losing a parent, her reflections feel particularly tender and timely. After recently losing my father, I found her words both comforting and familiar. It reminded me that even those who appear polished and untouchable carry invisible aches and hard-won wisdom.

More Than Just Emily Gilmore

Yes, there are moments for the Gilmore Girls fans. There are stories from set, glimpses of cast dynamics, and sweet reflections on what the role meant to her. But The Third Gilmore is ultimately about the woman behind the character: fiercely private, sharply intelligent, and full of stories that stretch far beyond Stars Hollow.

My Rating: 4.5/5

A rich, thoughtful memoir perfect for fans of Gilmore Girls, lovers of Broadway history, and readers who admire complex, trailblazing women.

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