Book Summary
In I’m Glad My Mom Died, former Nickelodeon star Jennette McCurdy delivers a searing memoir about her tumultuous childhood as a child actor, her fraught relationship with her abusive mother, and her journey toward self-liberation. The book is divided into two parts—“Before” and “After” her mother’s death—chronicling McCurdy’s forced entry into acting at age six, her rise to fame on iCarly, and the eating disorders, addiction, and emotional turmoil that followed. McCurdy’s narrative is unflinchingly candid, blending dark humor with heartbreaking vulnerability as she recounts her mother’s manipulation, from calorie restriction to controlling her showers until age 16.
What emerges is not just a celebrity tell-all but a universal story of survival. McCurdy’s writing oscillates between the naive voice of her younger self and the wry, wounded perspective of adulthood, creating a gripping emotional arc. The memoir’s shocking title reflects its central paradox: McCurdy’s simultaneous grief and relief after her mother’s death, a conflict she navigates with raw honesty. Critics and readers alike have praised its uncompromising authenticity, with many calling it one of the most impactful memoirs of the decade.
Key Themes
Parental Abuse and Narcissism: McCurdy paints a harrowing portrait of her mother, Debra, whose unfulfilled acting dreams led her to live vicariously through her daughter. From enforcing extreme diets to performing invasive genital exams, Debra’s abuse is framed as “love,” leaving McCurdy grappling with guilt and confusion. The memoir dissects how narcissistic parenting robs children of autonomy, with McCurdy noting, “The fragility of Mom’s life is the center of mine”.
Child Stardom and Exploitation: Beyond family trauma, McCurdy exposes the dark underbelly of the entertainment industry. She details Nickelodeon’s toxic environment, including a predatory figure she calls “The Creator,” and contrasts her treatment with co-star Ariana Grande’s privileged trajectory. Her account underscores how child stars are commodified, then discarded—“I feel like that show robbed me of my youth”—while highlighting systemic failures in protecting young
What Makes It Unique
Unmatched Candor and Dark Humor: McCurdy’s voice is the memoir’s standout feature. She balances horrific anecdotes (e.g., her mother’s reaction to her reaching a dangerously low weight: “Mommy, I am … so skinny right now”) with biting sarcasm, like her musings on “puke-toilet-paper-dingleberries.” This tonal duality makes heavy material digestible, earning comparisons to Mommie Dearest but with deeper emotional layers.
Structural Innovation: The memoir’s split timeline—juxtaposing McCurdy’s childhood devotion to her mother with her adult reckoning—mirrors her psychological fragmentation. Present-tense narration immerses readers in her past mindset, while retrospective chapters reveal hard-won insights. This approach avoids didacticism, instead inviting readers to witness her evolution organically.
Reader Reactions
The book sparked widespread acclaim, with a 56% 5-star rating on Goodreads and praise from critics for its “refreshing candor” (Vogue). Many readers related to McCurdy’s portrayal of complex grief: “How can a book be so sad and also so funny?” (Jenny Lawson, New York Times). Its title provoked debate, but reviewers noted its intentional provocation—“a sentiment that should be kept to oneself. But those people haven’t read the book” (The Atlantic).
Some critiques focused on the memoir’s uneven pacing, with certain life events (e.g., her iCarly audition) glossed over. Others found the second half’s explicit content (alcoholism, sexual encounters) jarring compared to the childlike voice of earlier chapters. However, most agreed these were minor flaws in an otherwise “stunning debut” (Kirkus, starred review).
About the Author
Jennette McCurdy is a former actor, writer, and director best known for her roles in Nickelodeon’s iCarly and Sam & Cat. After quitting acting in 2017 due to industry disillusionment, she pivoted to writing, directing short films, and hosting the podcast Empty Inside. Her one-woman show, also titled I’m Glad My Mom Died, sold out at LA’s Lyric Hyperion Theatre, laying the groundwork for this memoir.
McCurdy’s personal history is inextricable from the book’s power. As a survivor of parental abuse and industry exploitation, she channels her trauma into art with precision. Her transition from child star to author mirrors the memoir’s themes of self-reinvention, making her a resonant voice for those reclaiming their narratives.
Memorable Quotes
“I tried desperately to understand and know my mother—what made her sad, what made her happy—at the expense of ever really knowing myself.”
“The amount of times I’ve thought buying plants might make a difference in my life is staggering.”
Where to Buy or Download PDF of I’m Glad My Mom Died
- Amazon (Hardcover/Kindle)
- Goodreads (Reviews)
- Local bookstores via Bookshop.org