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nikitanavalkar 's review for:
I'm Glad My Mom Died
by Jennette McCurdy
emotional
sad
medium-paced
3.5 Stars
Let me first clarify I’ve never watched a single iCarly episode and actually had to google Jeanette McCurdy to find out who she is. I don’t say this to brag or be condescending, just as a disclaimer that I had no preconceptions or any nostalgia associated with her. So my perspective of this book may or may not come from the same place as say, that of a fan.
But I’m sure I’m one of millions who agree that her mom was a narcissistic, manipulative, abusive, selfish piece of shit. I have such extreme opinions about very few real people, but I have no qualms about having this one. Yes, she had deep seated physical and mental issues. But that does not excuse her basically ruining her family’s life and mental health. We only hear from Jeanette and I’m sure she bore the brunt of it with the obsessive controlling she endured from her mom, but I’m sure it can’t have been a picnic for any of the kids. And looking at the grandma, I bet she was part of the root cause too. This all sounds very harsh, but you have to read the book to get the vitriol.
Having said that, contrary to what the title says, Jeanette never shows any glee or any undeserved venom directed at her mom during the entire book, and honestly I would not begrudge her saying exactly the words of the title. But she has the very naturally complicated emotions you’d expect with losing the terrible person you love so much, even if they basically Stockholmed you into it. Idk what the controversy was about. Sure the title is scandalous, but it’s not wrong.
And for the love of all that is emotional, the person who blurbed that the book is funny? I respectfully disagree. This is a very sad sad book all the way, even though the author has a dry, sarcastic voice, especially in the second half as we learn about her as an adult. The writing is engaging even when it’s breaking you to pieces. Her acceptance of her mother’s true nature and destructive role in her life comes off as a little abrupt towards the end, but I was relieved that she did (and is doing still I’m sure) so much work toward undoing the damage that was wreaked on her growing up and has reached a point in her life where she has some measure of peace and some sort of a happy for now.
Let me first clarify I’ve never watched a single iCarly episode and actually had to google Jeanette McCurdy to find out who she is. I don’t say this to brag or be condescending, just as a disclaimer that I had no preconceptions or any nostalgia associated with her. So my perspective of this book may or may not come from the same place as say, that of a fan.
But I’m sure I’m one of millions who agree that her mom was a narcissistic, manipulative, abusive, selfish piece of shit. I have such extreme opinions about very few real people, but I have no qualms about having this one. Yes, she had deep seated physical and mental issues. But that does not excuse her basically ruining her family’s life and mental health. We only hear from Jeanette and I’m sure she bore the brunt of it with the obsessive controlling she endured from her mom, but I’m sure it can’t have been a picnic for any of the kids. And looking at the grandma, I bet she was part of the root cause too. This all sounds very harsh, but you have to read the book to get the vitriol.
Having said that, contrary to what the title says, Jeanette never shows any glee or any undeserved venom directed at her mom during the entire book, and honestly I would not begrudge her saying exactly the words of the title. But she has the very naturally complicated emotions you’d expect with losing the terrible person you love so much, even if they basically Stockholmed you into it. Idk what the controversy was about. Sure the title is scandalous, but it’s not wrong.
And for the love of all that is emotional, the person who blurbed that the book is funny? I respectfully disagree. This is a very sad sad book all the way, even though the author has a dry, sarcastic voice, especially in the second half as we learn about her as an adult. The writing is engaging even when it’s breaking you to pieces. Her acceptance of her mother’s true nature and destructive role in her life comes off as a little abrupt towards the end, but I was relieved that she did (and is doing still I’m sure) so much work toward undoing the damage that was wreaked on her growing up and has reached a point in her life where she has some measure of peace and some sort of a happy for now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Death of parent