Rating: 4.5 Stars

Format Read: Audiobook

The word “unflinching” is, in my opinion, over-applied to the memoir. Being honest about one’s life is apparently so unusual that one must be unflinching to do so. And yet, I can’t help but feel tempted to call I’m Glad My Mom Died an unflinching excavation of McCurdy’s difficult childhood as an actor who didn’t want to be one.

McCurdy’s writing style is blunt and to the point. She doesn’t shy away from the unglamorous reality of the life she has lived. I appreciated this frankness but do think it could be difficult for some, particularly those who are sensitive to depictions of eating disorders and abuse/manipulation by a parent.

This memoir delivers a little bit of the juicy behind-the-scenes stuff one expects from a celebrity memoir, but it is first and foremost a deep dive into McCurdy’s mental health struggles and the road to accepting her mom’s contributing role in fostering those struggles. It doesn’t pull punches. It showcases McCurdy’s writing chops, her ability to capture her point of view across various stages of life.

In my opinion, this book deserves every bit of the hype it’s getting. That said, it’s not a fluffy or cute memoir about being a child star. It’s a difficult and painful book to read. But it’s worth it.