Jenntte Mccurdy New Memoir, I’m Glad My Mom is Dead: An Extremely Complicated Relationship With Her Mother, Career And Eating Disorder

by Cassandra kiesel

DISCLAIMER
This book does not in any capacity mean to replace the original book but to serve as a vast summary of the original book.

IN THIS BOOK, YOU WILL About the original book Jennette McCurdy was six years old when she had her first acting audition. Her mother’s dream was for her only daughter to become a star, and Jennette would do anything to make her mother happy. So she went along with what Mom called “calorie restriction,” eating little and weighing herself five times a day. She endured extensive at-home makeovers while Mom chided, “Your eyelashes are invisible, okay? You think Dakota Fanning doesn’t tint hers?” She was even showered by Mom until age sixteen while sharing her diaries, email, and all her income.

In I’m Glad My Mom Died, Jennette recounts all this in unflinching detail—just as she chronicles what happens when the dream finally comes true. Cast in a new Nickelodeon series called iCarly, she is thrust into fame. Though Mom is ecstatic, emailing fan club moderators and getting on a first-name basis with the paparazzi (“Hi Gale!”), Jennette is riddled with anxiety, shame, and self-loathing, which manifest into eating disorders, addiction, and a series of unhealthy relationships. These issues only get worse when, soon after taking the lead in the iCarly spinoff Sam & Cat alongside Ariana Grande, her mother dies of cancer. Finally, after discovering therapy and quitting acting, Jennette embarks on recovery and decides for the first time in her life what she really wants.

Genres: Audiobook, Memoir, Biography

43 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 10, 2022

Reviews

[Kris · Rating 1 out of 5]

Stop posting reviews of this book! If you specifically read this edition of this book, which is not likely, then you read a pirated book. This is not a real book. Don’t buy or read this version from Cassandra kiesel, and don't review this version. You need to review the real version from the actual author, Jeanette McCurdy.

[Sarah Savas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really disturbing history here that McCurdy discusses with frankness and detail. I almost quit reading it but I hoped things would turn around. Do not think I recommend but good for her for evaluating her past and continuing to work toward mental health.

[Karen]

Difficult to rate this one as I got to Pg 189 and it became tedious for me so it's a DNF for me.

[Becky · Rating 1 out of 5]

Way over rated.

[Melissa Sisco · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm Glad My Mom is Dead is a page turner. The structure feels like sitting in an elongated therapy session and listening to the splices of memory and the chapters are organized like that. The little highlight real of memories jump across the space of 300 pages to create a mosaic of the complex relationship that this child star had with the realm of acting, the social role of femininity and expectations, and the role that her mother played in shaping the myths that created her realities. Poignant, genuine, really not censored - I didn't cry or gasp, I didn't want to call my mom or curse her, but rather enjoyed the experience for what it was. No great insight arises, there is no underlying urgent message you walk away with, it is kind of just like being a fly on the wall of someones inner reflections of the complicated life of a mother and her daughter. A great way to pass a day when you don't want to deal with something too emotionally intense but still something that captures your attention.

[Christen Bensten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Jenntte, for writing a real and complicated account of what it was like living w/ an abusive mother. I understand all too well having written my memoir, Starving, a few years ago. I immediately bought the book after reading the title. I know the author from when my kids devoured iCarly and I must admit I always wondered about the actor. She did not come across as herself. I saw it. Yes, it's a sad, heartbreaking story, but we as readers can't ignore what is hard in the world because it's uncomfortable. Jennette layers in so much wit into her story. It's a brave and honest account. Jenntte, I wish there was a place where all the adult daughters of abusive mother's could come together to heal. I have been in therapy for over 15 years and I still feel the pain and fall out from my mother's abuse. It feels as though there are many people that just cannot understand, but I have a feeling they are out there and need encouragement to talk and heal. Congrats on the memoir.

[Fifi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy this other book a lot, I felt like a related to her a lot due to toxic mother and daughter relationship. It makes you think about child actors. She went through a lot. I’m glad she is in a new journey of healing. It is crazy how we grew up thinking toxic environment is healthy and normal, but is not. I’m so happy for Jeanette left the acting world and is doing her own thing now. This book does have touchy subject such as eating disorder but if you want a life-changing book, please read this because this is amazing.

[Ali Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I applaud her tremendously for what she's written! It's an act of courage and self-respect and she deserves all the praise she is getting! I don't think the success of the book is at all about the writing, so reading it reminded me of how important celebrity status can be in popular culture, which is distracting and off putting. But I think we're all empowered by people being honest about the destructive potential of bad parenting. She's done many people a huge service. It's important in that sense.

[Priscilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did this one on audible and I thought she was a terrible reader. I kept thinking I had my audible app speed turned up. I’m sure writing this was incredibly therapeutic for her after years of this kind of blatant abuse. She will have a lifelong battle of trying to correct these thought patterns. There are so many kinds of abuse in this world that people don’t understand. Just because your parent isn’t beating the shit out of you doesn’t mean there is no abuse. Several people recommended this book to me as "hilarious." I thought it was downright depressing.

[Elyse Hayes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Excruciating memoir of an actress I've never heard of, who was abused psychologically and physically by her mother, and grew up in a house of hoarders. Kept hoping her life would improve, but it was not until the bitter end of the book that things started looking up (once the mother was dead). Luckily, the author reads it at breakneck speed. Might be of interest to fans of Nickelodeon TV shows or people suffering from bulimia.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this as an audiobook. I picked it up because my daughter was reading it and I was curious about the title. It is probably targeted for a young adult audience but I really enjoyed hearing her story as the author's show was on in our house often and I was familiar with the actress. It was really great that the book was read by the author herself.

[Happy Booker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve resisted reading this book due to the shameful title. But after hearing about the content and so many recommendations including from family members I succumbed. I’m not familiar with the show or this particular child actor, but very familiar with stage moms. After reading this memoir, I too am glad her mom is dead.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This poor girl. About a young lady making her way up the acting ladder with her domineering, yet lovable mother. But, her mother is very weird. For anyone with mommy issues, who have had a crazy, controlling mother (and grandma) this book may be for you. Hollywood is not for the faint of heart. I just hope Ms. McCurdy is able to heal from the abuse she endured. Great read.

[Meghan Spate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye opening bio from religion beliefs, child acting, alcoholism and eating disorders. This story shares struggles of all ages of her life along with struggles of mental health and recovery. I enjoyed reading this bio and the difficulties of her relationship with her mom and how it shaped her upbringing.

[Melissa D · Rating 2 out of 5]

Story telling was choppy and unnecessarily sexually graphic. It felt like the author was graphic just for the sake of being graphic. I muddled through it because it was a quick read but nothing I would recommend to others.

[Victor Kendrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intensely interesting and tragic, one of the first biographies I really read for pleasure. Lots of potential triggers for people in the book, I found her brushes with eating disorders shockingly potent in returning me to some of my darker moments.

[Deborah L Zurinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow I wasn't familiar with Jennette and wasn't sure about this book. This story was really well told and just left me saying wow...I felt so sorry for her yet by the end wanted to cheer her for overcoming all she went through. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves reading biography's.

[Rebecca Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a definite eye opener into the world of young actors and the struggles they go through for their career. Parts of this book were difficult to read, and there were a few triggers that might impact negatively impact readers, but the story was witty and well written.

[Meera Reddy Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Powerful memoir of a child actor who had an abusive relationship with her mother and hence terrible eating disorder. Eye opening and heavy around Mother’s Day but makes me want to buckle down and be more thoughtful in motherhood so I don’t do this to my daughter.

[Spiral Noodle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, lives up to the hype. Jennette does a fantastic time sharing a dark part of her life with humor. She was one of my favorites child actors when I was growing up so it was extra interesting to see her life through her eyes.

[Zoey Dzioba · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely a disturbing read and interesting to see the behind the scenes of what looks like such a “picture perfect” life on tv, lots of mention of eating disorders so definitely could be a trigger to some readers.

[Katelyn Millard · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you liked “Good Morning Monster” you would like this. It’s deep and it had a nice personal touch listening to the audible because the author reads it. I wish the ending was as powerful as the rest of the book.

[Nancy Faulkner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than expected! Jenntee has quite the story to tell and the issues she faces due to her mentally ill and overbearing mother are not surprising. Her writing style is entertaining and her courage in telling her story is admirable.

[Bailey Daily · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a 90s kid Nickelodeon was my childhood. iCarly was one of my favorite shows. To learn the “behind the scenes” as I’m getting older is crushing. Janet is such a strong woman. I applaud Janet for speaking her truth. 👏👏👏

[Brittany West · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, psychosis is a topic of concern and care.

[Susu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome, eye opening book. Best of luck to her future. I hope it will treat her good.

[Cindi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was nominated for best memoir of 2022 in Goodreads, and on that recommendation, I read it. It is a very candid look at her life. Very sad and depressing.

[Andrea Felchak borchgardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put it down! A hard story to read- but well worth it.

[Kate Southerton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook read by the author, and really worth it. Compelling read

[Frankie-Lynne Conklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! I could hear her voice and humor through every recount of her past despite the trauma that was endured.