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A review by sweetstar229
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
dark
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.5
When I picked this up on audiobook, I had no idea that Jennette McCurdy was the actress who played Sam Puckett, a character from a show I was familiar with but didn't really follow. So, imagine my surprise when I heard her voice and then, imagine my growing horror as I listened to her life unfold.
Debra McCurdy is the very reason why there's the saying: 'Every child deserves a parent, but not every parent deserves a child.' She's narcisstic, emotionally manipulative and a horrible parent.
McCurdy takes us on the journey of her tumultous life in present tense, so as she narrates, you feel like you're in the moment with her. That made it difficult to listen to at times, especially during her child and teen years when Jennette is so aware and fearful of her clearly abusive mother, and yet innocently idolises her because she literally doesn't know any better. Her mum certainly wouldn't let her. It's especially uncomfortable when Jennette was uncomfortable but stayed silent and let things happen to her because that is how she was conditioned.
If I had a nickel for every a company that's supposed to be family-friendly has a scandal involving very non-family-friendly activities... well, I'd have a lot and that's really sad to think about. The whole thing with Nickelodeon is frankly diabolical. I'm glad she's out of there.
By the end of the memoir, McCurdy has clearly made some improvements even if she still has a long way to go. I hope she finds healing and peace.
Overall, despite the depressing topics, I thought I'm Glad My Mom Died was pretty decent. It did what it was supposed to and it kept me relatively engaged throughout.
Debra McCurdy is the very reason why there's the saying: 'Every child deserves a parent, but not every parent deserves a child.' She's narcisstic, emotionally manipulative and a horrible parent.
McCurdy takes us on the journey of her tumultous life in present tense, so as she narrates, you feel like you're in the moment with her. That made it difficult to listen to at times, especially during her child and teen years when Jennette is so aware and fearful of her clearly abusive mother, and yet innocently idolises her because she literally doesn't know any better. Her mum certainly wouldn't let her. It's especially uncomfortable when Jennette was uncomfortable but stayed silent and let things happen to her because that is how she was conditioned.
If I had a nickel for every a company that's supposed to be family-friendly has a scandal involving very non-family-friendly activities... well, I'd have a lot and that's really sad to think about. The whole thing with Nickelodeon is frankly diabolical. I'm glad she's out of there.
By the end of the memoir, McCurdy has clearly made some improvements even if she still has a long way to go. I hope she finds healing and peace.
Overall, despite the depressing topics, I thought I'm Glad My Mom Died was pretty decent. It did what it was supposed to and it kept me relatively engaged throughout.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Cancer, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Moderate: Infidelity