I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

Bookseller: Anitra
Publisher & Year Published: Simon & Schuster, 2022
Book Title: I’m Glad My Mom Died
Author: Jennette McCurdy
Genre: Nonfiction, Memoir, Family Dynamics
Series: No

Favorite Quote or Scene: My favorite scene is when McCurdy's father takes her to get smoothies instead of taking her to her acting class which she doesn't enjoy.

Gist: Jennette McCurdy tells the gut wrenching story of her childhood and her mother's wish for her to become a star. McCurdy's relationship with her mother takes mainstage and we see the toxicity of the relationship and how it affects McCurdy both before and after her mother's death.

What you expected vs reality? A lot of the people that I saw who read this book said that it was funny but I really can’t agree with that. I struggled to find humor in McCurdy’s retelling of her abusive mother and struggles with eating disorders. Jennette had to learn how to handle and interpret her mother’s adult emotions in a way no child ever should. Her struggle with eating disorders and finding a sense of self are both unique in extremity and yet relatable all the same. Sometimes I would laugh at some of the dry jokes that McCurdy included but ultimately I ended up with a newfound respect for McCurdy.

Takeaways & Reflections: Jeanette McCurdy discusses the trauma brought on by her mother’s desire for Jenette to be a star. Told from Jenette’s dry and witty perspective, I’m Glad My Mom Died shines a light on the harm that child stardom can have while still maintaining the dark humor aspects that the iCarly/Victorious fan base has no doubt developed.

Who would you recommend this to? I would recommend this book to anyone who only sees McCurdy as Sam. She is so much more than the person other people want her to be, and to me that is truly the message of the book.