Che-Michelle Tales

Jennette McCurdy’s book “I am glad my mom is Died” is a liberating memoir.

Sometime in 2022, I saw an interview featuring Jennette McCurdy. I remember her as a Nickelodeon Darling. As I listened and watched the interviews that Ms. McCurdy completed, I realized there was more to her life journey. I had a lot of mixed feelings about reading her book. Was it right to read? Was I intruding in her life? What was my motivation for reading the book? I can tell you my inspiration for reading the book was to see how she overcame the abuse she endured, cause whenever I saw her in interviews and shows before 2020, I always got a sense of sadness hidden behind comedy. So, I brought the book, which sat on my play bookshelf for the next four months. In April, I finally started the book, and it is fantastic. The book begins with Jennette being noticeably young and trying to please her mother. She uses a birthday wish to wish for her mother to heal and that she would be able to be there for her family. As the book progresses, you witness the manipulation, gaslighting, and controlling nature of a young Jennette goes through with her mother. What stood out in the book was how several other family members were complacent in the abuse. Though there were times other adults would speak up or question how Jennette’s mom treated Jennette, it never shifted the tide. As the book progresses, you learn about Jennette McCurdy, and even through all the trauma, you will find yourself rooting for her success. You will laugh at her deadpan humor and delivery of a traumatic event that you know you should not chuckle about, but it causes your eyes to go big and a heavy chuckle to come out.

I find it interesting that in the book’s last few chapters, there is a moment where Jennette is reading her mom’s tombstone. There are a variety of adjectives on her mother’s headstone; as she describes, no one was willing to forsake the adjectives. The adjectives written on her mother’s tombstone do not tell her mom, but I describe Jennette. Jennette McCurdy is brave, loyal, funny, insightful, and so on. This book is fantastic; the themes of child abuse, narcissistic abuse, mental health, and eating disorders are heavy. However, how Jennette handles these topics with humor, nuance, and insightful thought will keep you enthralled and cheering for her success.  I am happy her mother is dead because if she were not, we would not have a book that may and will help others deal with comparable situations and find the courage to get help and walk away from the abuse.

I love how the book is written, with simple, straightforward language. The book has ninety-one chapters, but the chapters are quick. You can finish this book in 3- 5 days. It took me about five days. Since the writer dealt with alcohol issues, I did not drink any wine with the book. But I did sip on Sweet Tangerine Positive Energy Tea which was sweet and refreshing. I hope you enjoy this book and support the author. If you would like to learn more about narcissistic abuse check out some videos by Dr. Ramani on YouTube.

Until Next time,

Che Michelle