I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy ****

I'm Glad My Mom Died is Jennette McCurdy’s memoir of growing up as a child actor in a dysfunctional family that included sexual abuse. While the author had family issues and, later, alcoholism and codependency, her main challenges were eating disorders--anorexia and bulimia. Jennette is best known for playing Samantha Puckett on Nickelodeon. This memoir ends before her issues are resolved. A memoir about dysfunctional families and eating disorders.

The author reveals an interesting point: growing up in a dysfunctional family developed her as an actor. As a child, Jennette did her codependent best to be the person needed to bring peace to her chaotic family. At any moment, she acted happy or sympathetic or whatever was required. She was the consummate people pleaser. This prepared her to act and assume whatever role the script and the director required. “I’m nothing without direction.”

Her life was difficult. Her mother was dying from breast cancer. Until she became a successful actor, her family couldn’t pay their bills. Her mother was a hoarder. Until she was eight, her mother wiped her after she went to the bathroom, and until she was eighteen, her mother bathed her. However, despite all this, a major part of the book is about anorexia and bulimia.

If you are triggered by binging and purging, this might not be the book for you.

The internet reveals how McCurdy’s life improved following this memoir, but sadly the book was published before the happy ending.

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