Reviews - I'm Glad My Mom Died

I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

87.6k reviews for:

i downloaded the epub immediately after watching jack edwards’ review of this because i was so intrigued by what he said about jennette’s writing style in the book. the way she wrote about each stage of her life was so vivid it’s more of reliving her experiences rather than recounting them, which made the book such an immersive experience. in most memoirs i’ve read, they came across to me as just simply learning about their life and their message, but with mccurdy, each chapter packed a punch so deep it’s like i was in her shoes. the humor, wit, and pain woven altogether was masterfully done, it’s no wonder this book is critically acclaimed. i personally loved reading how her emotional intelligence developed during her years as a forced-to-be-reclusive kid to when she made peace with the reality of her and her mother’s relationship. you can feel how raw and authentic each paragraph with how they were written with such vulnerability and i can imagine it wasn’t an easy task to achieve; sometimes people apply an overuse of adjectives in an attempt to incite empathy and pity on readers but each sentence of mccurdy’s was just so direct, there’s no question that everything was intentional and real. it isn’t even up for debate: 5 stars all the way.

angiepasta's review against another edition

5.0

dark funny reflective sad fast-paced

rileys_papa's review against another edition

2.5

emotional informative slow-paced

What
Pushed into child acting by mother, who she idolised but recognised wasn’t healthy.
Journey through first boyfriends, combatting bulimia, and frustration with nature of acting industry. Eventually led to her stepping away from acting as a healthy life approach.

How
Told in first person, honest and open but not particularly graceful use of language.

True
Lots of similarities in her experience acting jobs as through basketball gigs year by year. Very high concentration and connection you think w acquaintances/work colleagues, then imediately fizzles out afterwards. And you must take stands on your decisions or will continue to be used for others benefit.
Feel like I didn’t get heaps out of it other than the level of impact a close family member can have on you. And how negative the effects can be if they’re manipulative, play on guilt/embarrassment, overtly selfish.
.

What of it

It’s a nice reminder how important a lovable main character is to a story.
It was a big somber sad note, and some reframing could have definetly made it better. More levity about the ridiculousness of the situation, then eventually one meltdown or hard hitting moment, but shift in mindset/tone could have easily made this a great story.

Best bits
“Oh so we started going to church when we wanted something from god?”
No need for church when things are good

Funny she says lots of people with eating disorders can spot it in others. And lots of things are like that once you’ve experienced them

Lord please grant me patience and be quick about it.

juliawiklund00's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing sad tense fast-paced

nathreadsbooks26's review

5.0

Damn, I think we're all glad her mum died.

But seriously, this was definitely my favourite book of 2023, which is really saying something because I rarely consume non-fiction. Listening to the audiobook, narrated by McCurdy herself, definitely elevated it! She's a very talented writer, and I'm glad she's finally thriving, as if this book if anything to go by, her experience growing up was truly awful.

I'd 100% recommend this, especially if you grew up watching Jennette on TV.