From actress, to singer, to author Jennette McCurdy has done it all. But at what cost?
Dates Read: 23/02/24 to 18/06/24
Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Word to describe: Retrospective
Genre: Biography
This book contains depictions of disordered eating, narcissistic abuse, sexual and physical abuse of a minor, sex themes, grief, alcohol abuse, cancer and death of a parent, and many other topics. Care should be taken if choosing to read this book.
Jennette McCurdy was an actress I adored as a young teenager. iCarly and Sam & Cat were shows I watched in my formative years and her character of Sam always made me smile. Her music I had adored and listened to on repeat. She was this brilliant celebrity that, in my child-like admiration, I had come to adore. When I first heard about her biography detailing her life as a young actress I was apprehensive from the title alone. Easily led by the social commentary that, during it's initial release, had labelled Jennette as a heartless daughter (clearly, not getting the memo of the book), I had postponed reading this because I wasn't sure exactly what to expect. I wanted to read it that I knew.
I had the opportunity to listen to an audiobook of I'm Glad My Mom Died read by Jennette McCurdy herself - Spotify bringing audiobooks on the subscription was an unexpected brilliance. I had, at this point in time, learned more about the contents of the book (and other horrific details on the teen stars of Nickelodeon) and I wanted to hear it from Jennette herself. Through her own voice, I knew that this audiobook would be immensely impactful.
Jennette McCurdy is well known in the Gen Z generation, and the younger millennials, as the quick-to-anger, quirky, and fun loving character of Sam Puckett. That much is common knowledge, what hasn't been until the release of this book is the atrocity that Jennette had to overcome in her short time on Earth. From spending her formative years in the acting industry she hated, to a childhood spearheaded by a mother who used abused her resulting in an alcohol addiction and numerous battles with eating disorders. Jennette's life story is one that it difficult to read and not because of the hardship that she was dealt (which, I am in no way trying to diminish), but because of the unfounded confusion that the child version of Jennette had to grow from to understand the reality of her abusive past.
I'm Glad My Mom Died is able to approach the conversation of child abuse, disordered eating, religious beliefs, childhood stardom, mental illness, and so many more topics without losing it's charm as a snarky commentary on Jennette's own life. She is able to use her past and her healing journey and turn it into an incredible biography encouraging readers to embrace and overcome their adversities. I truly admire Jennette's captivating storytelling and ability to use humour and refreshing sarcasm aimed at her younger self, and at others in her book. It is compelling writing and truly makes I'm Glad My Mom Died a must read.
Above all, I think Jennette's journey of self healing has been perfectly exposed. She has been able to bare herself to the word with all of her trauma and neglect and say I am still okay. It is beautiful. And with that, I applaud Jennette for her writing and her part in making my childhood amazing. I eagerly look forward to the next instalment in her career as a best-selling author.
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