Don’t Judge Jennette McCurdy’s Book, I’m Glad My Mom Died, By The Title
Jennette McCurdy’s book took off in early August of 2022 and is still selling many copies now (just reached 2 million copies sold). At one point in the beginning, the publisher didn’t make enough copies of the book, so the book was backordered for a month. It was crazy, but I always love when a book can do that. The popularity of the book sparked my interest.
I knew who McCurdy was from iCarly, but I was shocked by the title. I was asking myself these questions: “What’s this book about? What’s going on? How can she be so mean to her mom?” I was judging the book by the title and the picture without getting to know her story (without reading the book). I didn’t want to, but it’s what occurred. However, I wanted to know her story, so I read the book.
The reason she named it the way she did:
McCurdy provides an entire book of why she named the book the way it is. She provides different age perspectives throughout the book (from when she was 3 to 27), and she realized in her 20’s how bad her mom verbally, emotionally, physically, and sexually abused her. She discusses this more on page 303, so read that page for more info.
After her mom died, she decided to write about her story for a reflective and therapy reason. It turned out to be her first book called I’m Glad My Mom Died.
If her mom was still alive, McCurdy would still be controlled by her mother, maybe dead from the eating disorder, and probably still acting. In an interview, she mentions she wouldn’t have written the book at all if her mom was still alive. She would still be dictated and controlled by her. The honesty though. Dang, and that’s why I love this book. She would still be doing something she hates and wouldn’t want that at all. With her mom dead, she can do something she loves like writing and have control again. Jennette is glad her mom is dead, which explains why she named the book the way she did.
My thoughts on the title after reading the book:
The title makes sense. Her mom was abusive to her, and this affected McCurdy to this day.
Her eating disorder that was encouraged by her mom has gotten better, and it would have been worse if McCurdy’s mom would have been still alive. The eating disorder McCurdy was doing was bulimia and anorexia, which are two extreme eating disorders that can cause death. Bulimia is eating an excessive amount and throwing up while anorexia is starving oneself.
Jennette is glad her mom died, so she can get the help she needs. McCurdy tried setting boundaries with her, but it never worked. Her mom was always around McCurdy and would get upset if they were not hanging out 24/7.
The title can be seen as rude, but it is supposed to provide the context of why she doesn’t like her mom. With family, it’s seen as rude to dismiss family. However, it’s sometimes okay too as it will hurt your mental and physical health.
What do you think about the title? Also, if you read the book, did you like it or not? Comment down below 👇
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