What Would Mary Ann Do?: A Guide to Life

by Dawn Wells, Steve Stinson (Contributor)

So, what would Mary Ann do?

As the sweet, polite, and thoughtful Mary Ann Summers from Kansas in the hit series Gilligan’s Island, Dawn Wells created an unforgettable and beloved character that still connects with people fifty years from the show’s debut in 1964. As the “good girl” among the group of castaways on a tiny island, she was often positioned against the glamorous and exotic Ginger Grant, played by Tina Louise, prompting many to Are you a Ginger or a Mary Ann?

This book not only helps readers answer that question for themselves but also sends the inspirational and heartwarming message that yes, good girls do finish first. Part self-help, part memoir, and part humor—with a little classic TV nostalgia for good measure—What Would Mary Ann Do? contains twelve chapters on everything from how Mary Ann would respond to changes in today’s culture to addressing issues confronting single women and mothers. Wells brings along her fellow characters from Gilligan’s Island to illustrate certain principles, such as incorporating the miserly Thurston Howell III (Jim Backus) in a discussion on money. Anecdotal sidebars also describe fascinating facts and compelling memories from the show, as well as some trivia questions to challenge fans and followers. Illustrated with photographs from Wells’s private collection, this book provides inspiring lessons from TV’s favorite good girl.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir

328 pages, Paperback

First published May 7, 2013

About the author

A native of Reno, Nevada, Dawn Wells attended Stephens College in Missouri before going on to represent Nevada in the Miss America pageant in 1959. She found success in Hollywood immediately afterward, appearing in such shows as 77 Sunset Strip, Maverick, Bonanza, and Hawaiian Eye. She was later cast in the role of a lifetime as Mary Ann in Gilligan’s Island, beating out 350 other actresses, including Raquel Welch. Since then, Wells has continued acting on the stage and screen, produced films, and been active in a number of charities.

Reviews

[Thom · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collection of life advice from Dawn Wells, who is mostly indistinguishable from Mary Ann in this case. Can be a little preachy at times, but politeness and respect is advice many could use today. Rest in Peace Dawn Wells, taken from us too soon.

Chapters are roughly clustered around situational advice. This isn't a memoir or biography, but there are a LOT of anecdotes shared as examples. The book contains a large section of photos from Dawn's files, and only a few from Gilligan's Island specifically.

I met her at a book signing a few years back, and followed her on facebook where she actively posted new content. She really exemplified her statement of never retiring, always learning.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part autobiography, part Gilligan's Island memoir, part self help book, What Would Mary Ann Do?: A Guide to Life is a fun little read by Dawn Wells. She dispenses advice on men, career and general behavior while offering little glimpses of herself and her costars from Gilligan's Island. Initially, the book seemed aimed at younger female readers, but somewhere along the way that audience seemed to broaden. As another review mentioned, you won't find an in depth account of Dawn Wells life, but if you are a fan of Gilligan's Island and Mary Ann (who isn't?) you'll have fun reading this. There are also over 80 pages of photographs of Wells in the middle of the book as well as a few pictures of her fellow cast members.

Full disclosure: I won a copy of this book through a Goodreads Firstreads giveaway.

RIP Dawn Wells

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

What Would Mary Ann Do was a light and unconventional read written by Dawn Wells, best known for her role as Mary Ann on the hit sitcom Gilligan’s Island. This had a lot of advice, lists of dos and don’ts, and short stories that Dawn thought to be important to living a happy life. This was the type of book best picked up for a few minutes at a time, as opposed to attempting to read it for a longer period in one sitting because the sections were so short, and the overall format was a little choppy.

Dawn used her personal stories of life to illustrate the lessons and traits she believes are necessary to lead a positive and happy life. These include thanking people for a job well done, and always accepting breath mints. She had a few stories about Gilligan’s Island and the cast, but that was not the main focus of this book. I liked learning that Mary Ann and Gilligan were friends in real life. I also thought it was amusing that Bob Denver wanted to buy a small island to share with the group.

She spoke directly to the reader, and this read like a conversation with an energetic friend. There was a lot of personality and spunk that came through the pages here! Dawn appeared to be a vibrant woman happy with life.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just perfect!

I was a total fan as a kid! Loved her character, and I absolutely would choose MaryAnn over Ginger! What an incredible person she was! So sorry we just lost her!

[Jonathan Karmel · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you like listening to your highly judgmental grandma telling you what's wrong with you young whippersnappers these days, you'll like this book too.

[Shelly Donaghey · Rating 4 out of 5]

WHAT WOULD MARY ANN DO?: A GUIDE TO LIFE by Dawn Wells is just the type of book that is needed now more than ever. In days gone by, long before the internet and television and radio and movies, before you looked far beyond your neighborhood to find role models, young people and their parents relied on books about manners to guide them to happy lives. That some cranky old spinster who didn’t actually have a clue about real life for younger people may have written those books was never given a thought. It was the guide that mattered.
But here we have Dawn Wells, a.k.a. Mary Ann Summers, from the heartland of America (Ms. Wells is actually from Nevada), dispensing sage advice that should be good for any age. If you don’t know Mary Ann, find out, but if you already are acquainted you will know she was always the upbeat, optimistic ray of sunshine that brightened even the darkest days on the island. And no matter what the situation she faced, she faced it with a never give up attitude.
In this guide to living Ms Wells talks wisdom about morality and honesty, the absolute joy of dancing (everyone should), the temptations of narcissus and the wiles needed to be alluring yet true to who you are.
Perhaps being true and honest to yourself and those around you is the biggest piece of advice to be found here. But even if you didn’t pick up this book for the advice, there is many amusing stories and inside looks at her fellow castaways. And there is a great deal revealed about Ms. Wells herself.
In short this is a fun look at how to face the world from one who always seems to have a smile for not only those around her, but more importantly, for herself.
I am so very happy I won this book through Goodreads.

[Lena]

I finished this a while ago, but never posted it here. I loved this book for many reasons! Dawn Wells is hilarious when she talks about her views on society and the roles involved. I felt that we had very similar opinions and this book made me laugh too. I love books that can tug on my emotions and make me smile or feel for a character. She definitely made this an interesting read and I recommend it :)

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun interesting read! Lots of wonderful information on how to deal with life nicely and make a big statement in the process. She is fun, light hearted and very generous in her praise of others and co-workers. The pictures are a fun touch-giving you a personal look at the backstage of some of your favorite shows. This gives you a real glimpse into the life of Mary Ann and all that she was and is before during and after Gilligan's Island. Glad I was able to get a copy!

[Lillian Slater · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful book! Dawn Wells has such wonderful advice to give to us teenage girls. I was reading thinking the entire time "Why does Mary Ann have to make so much sense?" She gives answers that should be obvious, asks us questions that WE need to answer, and answers questions I would think all girls would ask. Thumbs up on the book, Mary Ann!

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dawn Wells mixes advice with personal vignettes on herself and her fellow Gilligan's Island stars in this latest Celebrity autobiography. If you are looking for her life story, you won't find it here, but you won't be disappointed if you are a Mary Ann fan. Use your Big Brain and be a good girl.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dawn Wells provides a refreshing handbook of morals long forgotten in today’s society. She does so with humor and care in every word. She also provides hope for the young ‘Mary Anns’ forced to live in a ‘Ginger’ era. I enjoyed every minute of the book, learning a lot along the way.

[Shannan Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book regarding old fashioned values that is truthfully needed in today's time.

[Penny Riquelmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an uplifting, funny and common sense guide to life, Mary Ann style with insight into the life of Dawn Wells and the cast of Gilligan’s Island. I would recommend this book for everyone.

[Tim Blackburn · Rating 3 out of 5]

What pre-teen/teen guy coming of age in the mid to late 1970's wasn't in love with Mary Ann from the Gilligan Island reruns???? I was. Her book was on sale on Audible recently and I took a flyer with it. It was nostalgic fun listening to Dawn Wells (Mary Ann) read her own book!! Unfortunately, the target audience is 12-20 year old young ladies. The parts of the book detailing her career and specifically the Gilligan Island stories were great - the parts about not overapplying makeup were not as relevant to me lol. One very interesting point in the book occurs in the last chapter so somewhat of a spoiler alert. Dawn lists Alan Hale (Skipper), Bob Denver (Gilligan), Russell Johnson (Professor), Jim Backus (Mr. Howell), and Natalie Shaffer (Mrs. Howell) as among her very dearest friends - totally leaving out Tina Louise (Ginger). Dawn didn't say a single bad thing about Tina, but that sentence spoke volumes about her thoughts on Tina. Sadly, we lost Dawn in 2020 but this book in her own voice is nostalgically very sweet.

[Mary Tippett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved watching Gilligan's Island as a kid, and it was fun getting some of the behind-the-scenes notes the author sprinkles through the book. Dawn Wells has a charming, grandmotherly-almost, knack for dispensing advice. She doesn't cater to current trends of tip-toe-ing around potential sensitivity land mines. I found it refreshing and sweet and sometimes laugh-out-loud funny. Makes me sad Wells' life had to end in a nursing home due to COVID. Too many seniors' lives were cut short by this ruthless pandemic.

[Sarah Hope · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure what I expected this to be but I feel like it fell somewhat flat of the mark. Although she did give great advice on a variety of topics, there was little connection to the "Gillian's Island" situations or characters, outside the initial comparison between the Big Brain and the Mary Ann Brain everyone has for decision making. The illustrations did not add to the content, nor did the "Mary Ann's Toos" lists at the end of each chapter. Glad I got it through my local library's interlibrary loan process rather than buying the Kindle version.

[Patricia Moody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Refreshing read from the star who played Mary Ann on Gilligan’s Island! Her advice is spot on for teenagers - plus 50 ladies!

[Mark Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Short easy read full of great wisdom. The world would be a much better place if Dawn’s guidance was followed. And much happier!

[Marcia Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

This book was a great look at the life of Dawn Wells and her life during and after Gilligan's Island. She tells some really good stories and gives good advice for life.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can I say? I love Mary Ann! It was good to read a book of advice for young girls written by a Hollywood star who has values similar to mine. She is not afraid to be herself and stand up for her values. I really liked it. The second half that dealt with make-up, and how to be an actress didn't interest me as much, but I really liked the first half.

[Dennis Juds · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pleasant look into the lifestyle choices she would recommend from her perspective. with a bunch of side stories too...

[Lisa Mcbroom · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was hoing more of a biography. Instead just silly advice!