Author: Jennette McCurdy
The title of American director, writer, and former actress Jennette McCurdy’s memoir is shocking at first, but after reading the book I realized it reflects something much deeper and more complicated than it initially appears.
What has stayed with me is how honest McCurdy is about her childhood and her relationship with her mother. She writes about being pushed into acting at a young age and the pressure she felt to succeed in the entertainment industry, especially during her time on the show “iCarly.”
While many people remember her as a funny character on television, the book reveals the difficult reality she was living behind the scenes.
The book is extremely personal and, at times, uncomfortable. McCurdy is open about eating disorders, anxiety, and the emotional control her mother had over her life. But that honesty is what makes this memoir powerful. Her ability to balance painful memories with dark humor makes the story easier to process as a reader.
What I took from this book is that it is not simply about resentment toward a parent. It is about understanding trauma, recognizing unhealthy relationships, and learning how to rebuild your sense of self.
By the end, it feels like McCurdy is finally telling her story in her own voice after years of living according to someone else’s expectations.
In places, this book moved me to tears. It also filled me with gratitude towards my own mother.
“I’m Glad My Mom Died” is emotional, eye-opening, and thoughtful. It made me consider how complicated family relationships can be and how important it is for people to reclaim their independence and identity.
It is not always an easy read, but it is definitely a memorable one.
