Jennette McCurdy is best known for her role as the funny, aggressive, food-loving Sam Puckett in the Nickelodeon series “iCarly”; however, her life off-screen was quite the opposite.

In her autobiography “I’m Glad My Mom Died,” McCurdy tells the story of her life in two parts — before her mom died and after. Despite the appalling title, the book is hard to put down once you start reading. 

The book is just over 300 pages and is comprised of 90 relatively short chapters. Between the book’s two parts, it follows a loosely chronological timeline of excerpts from experiences in McCurdy’s life that play a role in her trauma or were bright spots in her relatively dark past. 

For most of the scenes within the book, her mother plays a huge role, and when her mother is not directly involved in the story, her imprint on McCurdy is enough to make her present.

In the book, McCurdy details what it was like having a cancer patient, self-absorbed, unstable mother who lived vicariously through her acting career and constantly suppressed McCurdy of age-appropriate independence. 

She walks readers through each stage of her life and the trauma that followed her throughout, which all circled back to her mother in some way or another.

Although her mother is a key factor and the book’s namesake, their relationship isn’t the only one in McCurdy’s life that is explored. Readers learn about other family relationships she had with her father and grandparents, romantic relationships, friendships and even those with bosses and co-workers. 

Fans of McCurdy’s who know her from her roles in “iCarly” and “Sam & Cat” may be pleased to see that she explains her feelings toward co-stars Miranda Cosgrove and Ariana Grande. Others, like myself, may be disappointed by the brevity in the book over Nickelodeon drama and scandals against the major Nickelodeon producer Dan Schnieder, referred to in the book as “The Creator.” 

This autobiography is a highly emotional roller coaster, taking readers through psychological and sexual abuse, eating disorders, perfectionism and the not so glamorous behind the scenes of life as a child actor.

The book does spend quite a bit of time discussing McCurdy’s eating disorders throughout early adolescence into adulthood. She explains in great detail the internal struggles she faced as what began as anorexia morphed into a severe case of bulimia for several years and the toxic cycle of thoughts and habits she was stuck in. 

As honest, raw and dark as this book is, McCurdy also lightens the mood with happy memories here and there and shares what could be considered a “happy ending” as she finds closure in certain aspects of her life and learns to take back control. 

While most people likely don’t have a life as crazy and traumatic as McCurdy’s, the book puts any idea of Jennette McCurdy, the actor, into a whole new perspective. This autobiography reveals that she is more than just her television roles, more than her mother’s “perfect” daughter, eating disorders and toxic relationships; yet those are the things that shaped her and experiences that led to her finding peace with her mother’s death and her traumatic past. 

This book was an exceptional read that sheds light on the minds of many people who suffer from mental illnesses, eating disorders and trauma and is a must-read autobiography. 

“I’m Glad My Mom Died” can be purchased on Amazon, Audible, Kobo, Apple Books, Google Play Books and at Barnes & Noble.