I’m Glad My Mom Died – Memoir Review

I’m Glad My Mom Died the memoir of Jennette McCurdy.

Every so often a memoir is released that takes the world by storm. Jennette McCurdy’s memoir became an instant best seller due to her refusing hush money from Nickelodeon in order to write it. It also caught everyone’s attention because of the rather bold title. People jumped to criticize the harshness of her stating she’s glad her mom is dead but if you read the book you’ll definitely understand how reasonable that statement is.

I used to watch McCurdy on the hit show iCarly. I loved that show, it’s hilarious. McCurdy’s character, Sam, was my favorite. She was a tomboy who didn’t take any shit, bullied the bullies, and loved junk food. I wanted to be her in many ways.

I’m in the same age range as her and watching the show at the time was like watching the cool kids who had it all. No parents, a hit web show, and great friends. I had a bit of a crush on Sam as well, with her beautiful blonde hair and sarcastic attitude. I just assumed that the actress behind the character had it all too.

There’s a guilt that comes with reading I’m Glad My Mom Died. I feel bad now for watching this young woman and not seeing any of the pain she was going through. Of course, that’s just a testament to her acting skills, but surely we all should have noticed her increasing weight loss due to eating disorders, right?!

Hollywood is full of tragic stories from child stars and who knows how many accepted the hush money to never tell theirs. McCurdy shattered that paradigm in order to bare her soul to the world. Her story is not easy to read and must have been incredibly hard to write.

She documents her life of abuse under a mother that forced her into acting, encouraged her anorexia, and committed so many acts of emotional abuse it’s amazing any of her family members made it to a healthy adulthood.

I think what makes this memoir so successful is how tangent to relatable it is. I’ve read memoirs of people who have escaped cults, or who were physically and sexual abused throughout their lives, people who faced untold nightmares. But McCurdy’s hits closer to home. Although it is unlikely that we have seen the same horrors as her we can find pieces that are similar.

Many of us have overbearing parents, or have struggled with self esteem and body issues. Many of us were pushed into career choices we didn’t want or were raised in a religion that didn’t resonate. This relatability makes it that much harder to read because we need to face these events within our own memories. Stories about brutal rape are easier to detach from for most of us. Reading this memoir is the difference between watching a gory horror movie and watching someone get a huge splinter through their fingernail. We cringe more at the splinter because we know what that feels like.

I wish nothing but the best for Jennette. She has prevailed and shows the strength needed to continue on her path to recovery. Please read her memoir for all of the victims who are unable to share their own stories.

5/5 triumphant women 🤵🏼‍♀️ 🤵🏼‍♀️ 🤵🏼‍♀️ 🤵🏼‍♀️ 🤵🏼‍♀️

As an aside, this book seems to be marketed as a comedy. The cover says it’s funny, the blurbs say it’s funny. IT’S NOT FUNNY. I don’t know why they thought that would be a good direction to go in but, seriously, there’s nothing funny in this book.

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For more strong women and the memoirs they write check out The Long Tale of Tears and Smiles