Reviews tagging 'Panic attacks/disorders'

Génial, Ma Mère Est Morte ! by Jennette McCurdy

3183 reviews

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McCurdy's story is nothing short of heartbreaking. She tells her story of growing up as a child actress at the behest of her mother. Her mother would basically manipulate Jennette so that she'd do anything in order to keep her mother happy. This goes from doing her best in auditions, learning all the skills possible to try and get better representation and roles in Hollywood, as well as having no agency over her body. It is a very difficult story to read since it goes through the darkest moments of her life, from her eating disorders to her road to recovery. Jennette tells her story as it was, she doesn't dress anything up or try to make anything palatable so if you'd like to learn about what it's was like to be a child actress and have one's identity completely revolve around that and a mother's whims, definitely check this out. Please check out the content warnings, for there are many, relating to mental health, terminal illness, eating disorders, abuse, and more. 

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This book is brave, funny, and heartbreaking.

We begin looking at her mom through the eyes of a hopeful, desperate, eager-to-please child who’s faced with situations even adults shouldn’t have to look at. We end with a strong woman recognizing the injustice of what’s done to her, and having the strength and courage to fight past it.

McCurdy explores toxic relationships, eating disorders, and what being in the child entertainment industry really means for a pleasing child.

Her commentary on people and social situations is blunt and often very amusing.

She describes the world in such a way that it’s obvious she’s decided she should come finally come first. She’s bold and humble in the face of every shitty situation life throws at her. I thought it was a great book. 

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This was genuinely the most impactful non-fiction I’ve ever read. It was intense, it was heart breaking, and it was raw. Seeing parts of my own life mirrored in the book was a comfort and also jarring. TW for eating disorders, narcissistic abuse, grief, and alcohol abuse, among others. If you’re in the mental space to read it, please take the time. And the audio is a 15/10 also 

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I listened to the audiobook read by the author.  She read most of it in a deadpan voice but then when she got to conversations, she acted them out using different voices and it was easy to see her acting background. 

Her story was hard to hear. She suffered a lot of abuse and had a damaging self-image. 

It goes to show how poorly we treat child actors and how it takes them a long time to seek the help they need. I hope she finds her passion and so far, I think she’s doing well at writing. She’s unflinching in her honest storytelling. 

This book was rightly hyped as one of the better celebrity memoirs. 

Use caution & look at the content warnings before reading. 

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