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tarinchen's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
tofu2019's review against another edition
5.0
Jennette is so candidly honest in this book about the abuse she suffered at the hands of her mother and the trauma she endured in navigating an eating disorder. And yet this book is an easily digestible read. Her writing is quippy and engaging and while there are some real tear jerker moments, Jennette doesn't give the impression that she is sad for herself or wants the readers to be sad for her. I loved it.
tiannagripp's review against another edition
I’m struggling to rate this one or even review it. I’m glad that Jennette McCurdy gets to have her voice heard. So much of her voice was taken away from her in this life, and I’m glad she’s getting it back. I also hope she continues to find ways to express herself. Maybe sparking the old love she had for screenwriting as a child. She’s got more stories to tell, I’m sure of it.
It’s always hard for me to read about children being treated terribly. By the industry, but especially by their parents. I think these are things that had to be said and I’m sure this was all painful to admit. So it’s hard for me to say something like, “3 stars! Where was the [insert petty thing that I would’ve liked to hear, but the author didn’t say.]” I think Jennette told the story that she was ready to tell.
The armchair psychologist in me found herself wondering more about her mother’s past. Her backstory and how she grew up. And then I also wondered if that would’ve made me feel better? Hearing how a narcissist who was clearly raised by another narcissist came to be? Would that have “explained” her behavior? Would it have made her less of a villain for me? The fact is, much like McCurdy says, she refused to get help for her own clear problems and damaged an entire family in the process. So whatever her pain and trauma, I can imagine it was bad, but I came for McCurdy’s story and to put her first.
It’s always hard for me to read about children being treated terribly. By the industry, but especially by their parents. I think these are things that had to be said and I’m sure this was all painful to admit. So it’s hard for me to say something like, “3 stars! Where was the [insert petty thing that I would’ve liked to hear, but the author didn’t say.]” I think Jennette told the story that she was ready to tell.
The armchair psychologist in me found herself wondering more about her mother’s past. Her backstory and how she grew up. And then I also wondered if that would’ve made me feel better? Hearing how a narcissist who was clearly raised by another narcissist came to be? Would that have “explained” her behavior? Would it have made her less of a villain for me? The fact is, much like McCurdy says, she refused to get help for her own clear problems and damaged an entire family in the process. So whatever her pain and trauma, I can imagine it was bad, but I came for McCurdy’s story and to put her first.
lilymkara's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.5
i’m so glad i finally got around to reading this memoir. jennette’s narration in the audiobook is quick and matter-of-fact. she recounts her life through the eyes of her past selves and the logics she once used to bring order to the chaos and which she has since shed on her journey to recovery. she deftly describes her innocence in the face of abuse, the complexity of grief and mental illness, still harbouring love for the people who exploit you - the story of the girl behind the character who brought me so much joy as a kid. a fantastic read, i couldn’t put it down.