Pebbles Reviews I’m Glad My Mom Died By Jennette McCurdy
Content warning: This article contains mentions of eating disorders, alcohol abuse, sexual abuse, mental and emotional abuse that could be triggering for some.
When former iCarly star Jennette McCurdy released her book I’m Glad My Mom Died, a lot of people were horrified. How could she say that? Is she just doing it for attention? That’s just wrong. Well, after reading I’m Glad My Mom Died, I can definitely understand. Yes it does feel harsh, but hearing the details of their relationship? That was horrifying. I decided to listen to the audiobook because when reading a memoir, I like to hear the authors own voice. I believe that you get a clearer expression of the author’s words and I love that. My favorite audiobook that solidifies this point, is Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime. That said, here are my thoughts on I’m Glad My Mom Died.
I’m Glad My Mom Died summary
Jennette McCurdy, who’s now 30-years-old, was a child actor who was one of the stars on Nickelodeon’s show iCarly. I absolutely loved that show, especially McCurdy’s character Sam. When they announced that there would be a reboot of the show, I was really hoping that she would be part of it. She wasn’t. I had heard rumblings that there were issues for years, but wasn’t sure of the specifics. I always wondered if she was ok. Well, she was not ok, and this book is proof.
From Simon & Schuster – “A heartbreaking and hilarious memoir by iCarly and Sam & Cat star Jennette McCurdy about her struggles as a former child actor—including eating disorders, addiction, and a complicated relationship with her overbearing mother—and how she retook control of her life.”
What did I think?
I’m Glad My Mom Died was really tough to get through. Thinking of everything she had to go through just broke my heart. The way that she was abused and not protected, made me absolutely furious on her behalf. Abuse from her mother, producers, society, the industry. It was just so awful. I know, you’re wondering why you should even read this. For me, I wanted to understand what happened behind the scenes in her own words. I want her to know that she is seen, heard, and understood. And as far as memoirs go, I think that it was told really well. There are 320 pages full of short but powerful chapters. Other topics she addresses: her Sam & Cat co-star Arianna Grande, walking away from acting, behind-the-scenes of the industry, Miranda Cosgrove, and more. This was an incredibly tough read, but was worth it.
Trigger Warnings
I do think that there are so many aspects of this book that can be extremely triggering for people. Eating disorders, alcohol abuse, mental abuse. While I don’t think that any of this is glamorized in any way, the detail in which this is described could be triggering for some.
My rating (I rate in hugs – on a 5 hug scale)
🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗 I’m Glad My Mom Died gets five hugs from me. For the way she tells her story with such honesty, for her ability to inject humor into such a heartbreaking story, and for the fact that I wanted to give her all the hugs when I finished the book.
For more book recommendations, check out my Best Book You Read This Summer list.