I’m Glad My Mom Died, Jennette McCurdy’s biography, is an honest, and deeply personal story of her childhood as a child actor and her complicated, frequently toxic relationship with her mother. The book’s usage of vivid imagery is remarkable to many readers, but the experience is even more powerful for those of us who listened to the audiobook, which was recorded by McCurdy herself. Her voice makes the words come to life, and create clear images so that we feel as though we are there with her, sharing in her setbacks, accomplishments, and breakthroughs. 

McCurdy’s skills in sharing her feelings and experiences through vivid imagery is amazing. Whether she is describing the positive and negative experiences of discovering herself or the control that her mother had on her life, her words are strong and powerful. Hearing her discuss these events adds to the effect of the descriptions. Her readers are impacted by her details and through accounts of her mother’s excessive behaviors, like closely monitoring her diet or controlling every action. 

Along with its detailed account, I’m Glad My Mom Died gives people an insight into the friendships McCurdy made when she was on iCarly. Her relationships with her co-stars Miranda Cosgrove and Nathan Kress are especially enjoyable. McCurdy explains how these friendships helped her to feel safe and comforted even with the chaos in her life. Her relationship with Cosgrove in particular is known for being honest and supportive. Her friendship with Kress describes him as a trustworthy and loving person. Both of these relationships helped her in her journey toward recovery and accepting herself for who she is.  

In the end, I’m Glad My Mom Died is a tribute to McCurdy’s strength and her ability to find hope even in the most hopeless circumstances. She allows listeners and readers to feel what her journey of self-awareness and empowerment were like, through her amazing narration and outstanding visual descriptions. In addition to being a story of survival/recovery, the memoir also honors the relationships and friendships that supported her along her journey.