A review by astrangewind
I'm Glad My Mom Died, by Jennette McCurdy
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
4.5
What an incredible look into Jennette's life. I watched so much iCarly as a young teen, and it was so influential on me. Looking back on it now, with the context of this book, I feel as though I understand so much more about the show.
Jennette's life was tumultuous at best, and this book is a peek into the most vulnerable parts of her. I always knew about the fact that child stars often end up in a tough space, but I've never seen it up close like this before.
However, I don't feel like I really got to feel what she was feeling. The book feels like a series of events that occurred to make up Jennette's life, but I never really picked up on who she is. Yes, she had an eating disorder, but it felt so abstracted from her as a person. This book tells instead of showing. I found it difficult to connect with the content, to really peek into Jennette's world view, from such a distant place. I would recommend this book to someone who watched iCarly or Sam & Cat, but not necessarily anyone else.
That said, I couldn't put this book down, and I finished it in under 24 hours.
Jennette's life was tumultuous at best, and this book is a peek into the most vulnerable parts of her. I always knew about the fact that child stars often end up in a tough space, but I've never seen it up close like this before.
However, I don't feel like I really got to feel what she was feeling. The book feels like a series of events that occurred to make up Jennette's life, but I never really picked up on who she is. Yes, she had an eating disorder, but it felt so abstracted from her as a person. This book tells instead of showing. I found it difficult to connect with the content, to really peek into Jennette's world view, from such a distant place. I would recommend this book to someone who watched iCarly or Sam & Cat, but not necessarily anyone else.
That said, I couldn't put this book down, and I finished it in under 24 hours.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Cancer, Alcoholism, and Vomit
Moderate: Fatphobia, Death of parent, and Body shaming
Minor: Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Panic attacks/disorders, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis