“I’m Glad My Mom Died” is a memoir by an American director, actress, and writer Jennette McCurdy. The Book was published by Simon & Schuster in August 9, 2022. The Book has 320 pages. McCurdy exposes her career as a child actress and the challenging relationship with her abusive mother. It is 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.
| Publisher | Simon & Schuster |
| Publish Date | Aug 9, 2022 |
| Language | English |
| Pages | 320 Pages |
| Awards | ALA Alex Award (2023), Goodreads Choice Award for Memoir & Autobiography (2022) |
| Settings | California (United States) |
| ISBN- 10 | 1982185821 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1982185824 |
I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette Overview:
Jennette McCurdy was first starred when she was only 8. It seems SO COOL to us, but the hard part is she was forced to earn for her mother. Jennette also wanted a beautiful childhood with some dolls and a teddy bear. Still, all she got was performing on the stage —or you could say, she was pushed into acting, which was her mother’s incomplete dream. Who knew that the Jennette of iCarly, making her age-fellows laugh, could grow so frustrated inside?
I feel like the world is divided into two types of people: people who know loss and people who don’t.” -Jennette McCurdy.
Even though this is also the cause of her fame and the luxuries she has today, the memories she made as a child have left such marks on her brain that she cannot forget. During the COVID-19 pandemic, her show trip plans were canceled, and she wrote her broken thoughts in a book. The book covers her mother’s abuse, the sexual and nervous attacks, and the complicated relations with Debra—her mother. Her book won the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Memoir & Autobiography.
Story Line:
The book is based on the thoughts, feelings, experiences, and heartbreaking words of Jennette McCurdy. Jennette was not meant to be a star or any other performer; as a normal human choice, she wanted to lead a simple life, complete her degree, marry, and have babies. Here comes a twist: Jennette’s mother had a dream of becoming an actress, which she could not complete. Now what? She selected Jennette, her daughter, to pray for her meaningless dream.
Jennette was not raised as a normal kid. Instead of encouraging her girl to the outer world, her mom was interested in pulling her strings. In her book, she clearly states that her mother bathed her until she was 16 and examined her private parts, similar to physicians and gynecologists. At this age, individuals can help themselves on their own. Still, Jennette’s mother never gave her a private space.
They had made an extremely unhealthy relationship between them. Jennette and her mother used to watch her cancer videos on movie nights.
She was groomed in such a way that she could not make a decision or even think without her mother’s approval. The stressful and exhausting scene made her an alcohol addict. Jennette, after the death of her late mom, writes that she still thinks she is nothing without her mom.
I was conditioned to believe any boundary I wanted was a betrayal of her, so I stayed silent. Cooperative.”
She was funny, intelligent, and smart, but all with her mom’s approval. Jennette started losing her self-worth and control over herself. She couldn’t even say no to a script line. Time passed, and soon, a life-changing twist came. Her mother died of cancer.
Mom didn’t get better. But I will.”
This was the first time Jennette was going to take a step for herself. She soon realized that she should take a treatment. Jannette McCurdy, the iCarly’s star, quit her long, hurtful journey of acting. She got the hopeful answer of her recovery, and now she is focusing on herself only, without any interruption, and SLAVERY!
Behind the story:
Jennette and her mom Debra had a deeply chaotic and disordered relationship. Her family, like the most others, had financial issues. Her acting was a pressure on her to pay the bills. She states that the air of the house was so complicated. Her mom was diagnosed with cancer when Jennette was just 2 years old. Everyone in the house had fear of her and her cancer. Debra’s behavior was chaotic and violent.
She also fell a part of se*ual abuses and harassments. Jennette delivered her deep and dark words honestly. The story behind the title “I’m Glad My Mom Died” was to engage the reader pick the book and get the answer of the title at the end of the book. Extremely amazing experiences I got after reading this book. Just I can say—Goosebumps.
Review and Thoughts:
The Positive Ones:
If you grew up watching channels like Disney and Nickelodeon with these stars, it would be an amazing experience for you to read this book. It is also true that you don’t need to know about Jennette McCurdy’s career or anything like that; you can still enjoy it. The book also reveals the dark side of the film industry, the fear behind the smiling children on the screen, and the exploitation they suffer. I pre-ordered the first edition because I was a fan of her. The title doesn’t express the real story behind the cover. Absolutely a great adventure it was. From start to end, you completely live her life; you understand her emotions and pain.
My favorite thing is the honesty and truth behind the story. Jennette shares the real-life struggles that offer a deep insight into the society we are living in. Jennette elaborates on the “Mystery” of child stars growing up with a fake smile. I did not get it as—a hero vs villain story. She shows understanding and kindness to her mom, making it more than just a bad story. Jennette expresses kindness even when talking about her mom’s mistakes, making us see her as a strong person who overcame a lot.
It’s honest and funny, making you laugh, but it also has sad parts that make you cry ( It made me cry for real ). “I’m Glad My Mom Died” offered respect and encouragement for me as well as those on the path to recovery, emphasizing the uniqueness of each person’s journey and the possibility of finding peace and joy.
The Flaws:
I think something weird about the title. Do you? At first, I thought the title was only for attention, and it was true to some extent. Jennette has cleared that the title was used to engage the reader. You might need to understand the title ( so did I ). People might think it’s a mean story of a selfless author, but it’s not if you read it. The parts about bad things that happened might be upsetting to read, such as the abusive thoughts you get and a certain fear, but believe me; it will be a great journey.
My life purpose has always been to make Mom happy, to be who she wants me to be. So without Mom, who am I supposed to be now?
The book is described as potentially stressful, especially for those with eating disorders or who have experienced abusive parenting. Some say it’s only popular because the author was famous before, not because it’s a good book. Doesn’t it look suspicious? The quality of the content and the storyline, being a non-fiction book, is tremendously amazing.
The message of the book:
“I’m Glad My Mom Died” offers respect and encouragement for those on the path to recovery, emphasizing the uniqueness of each person’s journey and the possibility of finding peace and joy. By talking about her problems, the author gives hope to others going through tough times.
The book helps us understand the tough times child stars face, becoming like walking piles of money for others. It Gives the idea of establishing successful boundaries when dealing with an abusive parent, showcasing strength and personal development.
Conclusion:
To conclude, “I’m Glad My Mom Died” shares Jennette McCurdy’s real-life story from growing up in a strict home to dealing with fame and facing tough challenges. She talks openly about struggles with her mental health, body image, and the loss of her mother to cancer. But in the end, the book is about finding strength and learning to love oneself. If you want a book that’s honest, relatable, and full of hope, “I’m Glad My Mom Died” is a compelling read that shows life’s ups and downs with courage and resilience. Give it a go and discover a story that speaks to the heart.