Summary: I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

I'm Glad My Mom Died is a memoir by American writer, director and former actress Jennette McCurdy based on her one-woman show of the same name. The book is about her career as a child actress and her difficult relationship with her abusive mother who died in 2013. It is McCurdy's first book and was published on August 9, 2022, by Simon & Schuster.

The book is divided into two sections, "Before" and "After", which describe the events of her life before and after the death of her mother. In the first section, McCurdy discusses her childhood as a successful child actress, her brief foray into a country music career and the troubled and controlling relationship she had with her mother, Debra, who died from cancer in 2013. She describes a strained relationship with a producer described pseudonymously as "The Creator", who BuzzFeed News and other sources inferred to be Dan Schneider.

McCurdy writes about how her mother's dream was for her only daughter to become a star, and Jennette would do anything to make her mother happy. Her mother put her on a strict diet and exercise regimen from a young age, and she was constantly subjected to verbal and emotional abuse. McCurdy also writes about how she was sexually abused by an older man when she was a child, but her mother refused to believe her.

In the second section of the book, McCurdy discusses her struggles with eating disorders, addiction, and depression after her mother's death. She also writes about how she finally began to heal and take control of her life with the help of therapy. She quit acting and began writing and directing, and she is now a successful podcaster and author.

I'm Glad My Mom Died is a powerful and moving memoir about resilience, hope, and the importance of forgiveness. It is a must-read for anyone who has ever struggled with abuse, addiction, or mental illness.

Here are some of the key takeaways from the book:

• Abuse can have a profound impact on a person's mental and emotional health, even if it occurs in childhood. McCurdy writes about how the abuse she suffered from her mother led to eating disorders, addiction, and depression.
• It is possible to heal from abuse, but it takes time and effort. McCurdy's story shows that it is possible to overcome even the most difficult challenges.
• Forgiveness is not about condoning an abuser's behavior, but about letting go of the anger and resentment that can hold us back. McCurdy writes about how forgiving her mother helped her to move on with her life.
• It is important to speak out about abuse. McCurdy's story is a reminder that we are not alone, and that there are people who care and want to help.

In addition to these key takeaways, McCurdy's book also offers important insights into the dark side of the entertainment industry. She writes about the pressure that child actors face, the predatory behavior of some adults in the industry, and the lack of support that is often available to young performers.

I'm Glad My Mom Died is a powerful and important book that has the potential to help many people. It is a story of resilience, hope, and healing.

Chapter-Wise Summary

Chapter 1: My Sweet Sixteen

Jennette McCurdy is preparing for her sixteenth birthday party. She is excited, but also nervous. She knows that her mother, Debra, will have high expectations for the party, and she doesn't want to disappoint her.

On the day of the party, Debra is in a bad mood. She is upset about the party decorations, the food, and even Jennette's outfit. Jennette tries to appease her mother, but nothing she does is good enough.

During the party, Debra publicly berates Jennette in front of her friends and family. She calls her fat, ugly, and a failure. Jennette is humiliated and ashamed.

Chapter 2: The Creator

Jennette lands a role on a new Nickelodeon show called iCarly. She is thrilled to be working on the show, but she quickly realizes that the show's creator, Dan Schneider, is a difficult man to work with.

Schneider is known for his controlling and demanding behavior. He expects the actors to work long hours and to follow his every instruction. He is also known for making inappropriate comments and jokes to the young actors.

Jennette tries to please Schneider, but she finds it difficult to meet his demands. She is constantly stressed and anxious, and she begins to develop an eating disorder.

Chapter 3: The Star

iCarly is a huge success, and Jennette becomes a star overnight. She is constantly bombarded with fan mail and requests for autographs. She is also invited to exclusive events and parties.

Jennette enjoys the fame and attention, but she also finds it overwhelming. She feels like she is constantly under pressure to be perfect. She is also struggling with her eating disorder and her relationship with her mother.

Chapter 4: The Downfall

As Jennette gets older, she begins to feel less and less connected to her acting career. She is no longer interested in the roles she is being offered, and she feels like she is stuck in a rut.

Jennette also begins to have more and more problems with her eating disorder. She is constantly restricting her food intake and purging her meals. She is also struggling with addiction to alcohol and pain pills.

Chapter 5: The Rock Bottom

Jennette's life spirals out of control. She is fired from iCarly, and her relationship with her mother hits an all-time low. She is also struggling with her addiction and her eating disorder.

Jennette finally realizes that she needs help. She checks into a treatment center for her eating disorder and addiction. She also begins therapy to deal with the trauma of her childhood.

Chapter 6: The Healing

Jennette begins to heal in treatment. She learns to love and accept herself for who she is. She also learns to set boundaries with her mother.

After leaving treatment, Jennette begins to rebuild her life. She starts writing and directing, and she launches a successful podcast. She also continues to work on her healing and recovery.

Chapter 7: The Forgiveness

Jennette's mother dies from cancer in 2013. Jennette is devastated, but she also feels a sense of relief. She knows that she can finally start to live her own life.

Jennette begins to forgive her mother for the abuse she suffered. She realizes that her mother was a sick woman, and that she did the best she could.

Chapter 8: The Future

Jennette is now a successful writer, director, podcaster, and author. She is also a role model for other survivors of abuse and addiction.

Jennette is passionate about using her platform to help others. She is also committed to her own healing and recovery. She knows that she will always be a survivor, and she is grateful for the life she has today.

The memoir explores number of themes, including:

• Abuse: McCurdy writes about the physical, emotional, and sexual abuse she suffered as a child. She also discusses the impact of the abuse on her mental and emotional health.
• Addiction: McCurdy writes about her struggles with addiction to alcohol and pain pills. She also discusses the challenges of recovery.
• Forgiveness: McCurdy writes about the process of forgiving her mother for the abuse she suffered. She also discusses the importance of forgiveness for her own healing.
• Resilience: McCurdy writes about her journey of healing and recovery. She also discusses the importance of resilience in overcoming adversity.

Conclusion

I'm Glad My Mom Died is a powerful and moving memoir about resilience, hope, and the importance of forgiveness. It is a must-read for anyone who has ever struggled with abuse, addiction, or mental illness.