A review by kyrstin_p1989
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

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

3.5

The way this memoir is written tricks the reader into thinking that the topic is light and happy when the reality is,  Jennette’s story is utterly wrong in every way. Narcissistic parents exploit their children in irreparable and unforgivable ways and Jennette’s mom is no different. There were parts of this book that were so relatable, especially the manipulation. Even though I experienced a narcissistic parent in a different context than Jennette the parallels were spot-on. I particularly appreciated the last page — I agree with the author, that we glorify the dead too much, refusing to see the person who was. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Medical content, Mental illness, Death of parent, Grief, Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, Terminal illness, Sexual harassment, Pedophilia, Abandonment, Blood, Body horror, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Vomit, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Dysphoria, Forced institutionalization, Body shaming, Alcoholism, Cancer, and Dementia