Memoir about the influence her mother had over her life and her career, Jennette McCurdy tells how her mother wanted to be an actress, so she pushes her daughter into acting. Then, she controls her weight, so that Jenny's body looks more childlike. She has bulemia, is losing her teeth, and enters into poor sexual relationships with men.
Her mother even holds her cancer over Jennette, and also withheld information about Jennette's father. She abandons therapy for a time. Finally, she finds a therapist that she sticks with, and can see the way out to a more positive image, and take control of her mental health. ( )

A heartfelt, raw, and insight look into Jennette McCurdy's childhood and personal life. I was surprised and fascinated by the horrors she endured and overcame, and I'm so proud of her for sharing her story with the world. ( )

This wasn’t what I expected, but I developed a tremendous amount of respect for McCurdy and for finding her path to healing. I don’t know if I could have made it that far. ( )

Difficult read - Jennette McCurdy had an amazingly difficult childhood as an actor in the iCarly series on Nickelodeon, and her troubles followed her into adulthood. Lots of stress-inducing stories delivered by the author in a quite matter-of-fact voice. Can't say I would want to recommend this one. ( )

I’m glad my mother died by Jennette McCurdy is a 2022 Simon & Schuster publication.

I have never seen an episode of iCarly, though I had heard of the show. I wasn’t familiar with any of the cast members, even Jennette McCurdy. I just didn’t move in the circles of folks who had kids at the right age to watch the show and it certainly wasn’t a program my own kids would have watched. In fact, Nickelodeon was a channel we had to pay for, back before cord cutting, that we never watched. So why was I interested in reading this book? I’ve always followed the psychological issues that child stars developed and what, if any role the parents played in that- or if it was the Hollywood machine or a combination of both things.

With a title like this one, it was obvious that the author had some serious family issues, so I really wanted to see what McCurdy’s story was.

Sometimes it is very hard to articulate one’s feelings about another person’s memoir, and that’s the case here. I think that not knowing the author in any way might have helped me to have a more balanced opinion, but it might also have been a hindrance, as I didn’t really understand the type of role she was expected to portray. Finally, I gave in and went to YouTube to look at a few clips of the show. All I’m going to say is I can understand why she might grow weary of it… in a hurry. *No offense to anyone who enjoyed the show.

That said, the show was obviously popular with a certain audience and the original series ran for about five years. During that time, Jeannette McCurdy was living a life full of emotional abuse. Her mother, who had battled cancer when McCurdy was a baby, became obsessed with her daughter’s career, introducing her to anorexia to keep her body at a child’s weight, she still bathed her well into her teenage years, was religious when it suited her, and could turn vicious at the drop of a hat. If that weren’t enough, the pressures of being a child professional, and the passive aggressive atmosphere of the adults in her work environment, led to a world of mental, emotional, and physical illnesses for Jeannette, that she battled well into her twenties, which included eating disorders, co-dependent relationships, and alcohol.

When her mother’s cancer returned, her abuse didn’t end, and maybe even ramped up a bit. It was harrowing to read about some of the ugly things this woman said to her daughter and the mess she left Jeanette in after she died.

Reading about this level of abuse and watching a young woman begin to circle the drain is difficult to read about, and it was even worse than I was prepared for, but I am glad it wasn’t glossed over. By the same token, I do wish McCurdy would have glossed over some of the intimate details of her romantic life. It was very off-putting, and TMI, in my opinion. Honestly, there is no way, I’d go into those details in a book that so many people will read or listen to, and I’d have to take into consideration that other people were involved and would be named, but people today don’t seen to get the concept of discretion, so I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised… but really, do you all really want to read about her oral sex skills? UGH!

Overall, though, this book confirms my thoughts on child actors and their parents. I hope this young lady continues to seek counseling, perhaps sound spiritual guidance, as well. I am glad she feels free from being forced to do something she didn’t really enjoy. I hope finds her niche, has balance in life, takes care of her health, both physical and mental, and will have a sound, solid productive adult life. ( )