Jennette McCurdy unveils the poignant narrative of her challenging childhood. The book, echoing the title of her one-woman performance, serves as a poignant reflection on the tumultuous years marked by what the author characterizes as enduring emotional abuse inflicted by her demanding and emotionally unstable stage mom, Debra.
Hailing from Los Angeles, McCurdy, alongside three older brothers, navigated a home dominated by her mother's control. At the tender age of 3, her mother faced a diagnosis of breast cancer, a battle she initially survived but one that would ultimately claim her life when the author was 21. McCurdy courageously lays bare the intervening years, delving into the depths of how "my mom emotionally, mentally, and physically abused me in ways that will forever impact me."
Debra, driven by an unrelenting desire to mold her only daughter into "Mommy's little actress," orchestrated auditions for McCurdy starting at the tender age of 6. As the author matured and secured acting roles, she found herself caught in a relentless pursuit to impress her mother, who, in turn, grew increasingly fixated on her daughter's physical appearance. The narrative unfolds to reveal a mother who, with a cruel perfectionist demeanor, subjected McCurdy to extreme measures—tinting her eyelashes, whitening her teeth, enforcing strict calorie restrictions, and conducting invasive examinations during her teenage years.
As McCurdy naturally sought independence and distance from her mother, her burgeoning celebrity status exposed her to the perils of eating disorders, alcohol addiction, self-loathing, and tumultuous relationships. Throughout the memoir, McCurdy candidly portrays Debra's abusive behavior patterns, showcasing a woman prone to rage triggered by everything from crooked eyeliner to spilled milk. Despite the cruelty, the author approaches her deeply flawed mother with a sense of compassion.
Towards the conclusion, McCurdy shares a heart-wrenching secret unveiled by her father in adulthood. While she didn't emerge unscathed from her tumultuous childhood, McCurdy transforms her harrowing experience into a powerful stage act, achieving a catharsis that brings solace to her mind, body, and acting career.
The memoir unfolds as a heartbreaking account of an emotionally battered child, narrated with captivating candor and grace, showcasing McCurdy's resilience and ability to find healing through her artistic expression.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer – no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
Great on Kindle
Great Experience. Great Value.
Putting our best book forward
Each Great on Kindle book offers a great reading experience, at a better value than print to keep your wallet happy.
Explore your book, then jump right back to where you left off with Page Flip.
View high quality images that let you zoom in to take a closer look.
Enjoy features only possible in digital – start reading right away, carry your library with you, adjust the font, create shareable notes and highlights, and more.
Discover additional details about the events, people, and places in your book, with Wikipedia integration.
Get the free Kindle app: 
Enjoy a great reading experience when you buy the Kindle edition of this book. Learn more about Great on Kindle, available in select categories.
Frequently bought together
£14.39
Get it as soon as Wednesday, May 22
In stock
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your basket.
Choose items to buy together.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Page 1 of 1 Start againPage 1 of 1
Popular highlights in this book
Why do we romanticize the dead? Why can’t we be honest about them? Especially moms. They’re the most romanticized of anyone.Highlighted by 238 Kindle readers- My life purpose has always been to make Mom happy, to be who she wants me to be. So without Mom, who am I supposed to be now?Highlighted by 152 Kindle readers
- How could I possibly be so upbeat when my surroundings were so obviously heavy? I was two.Highlighted by 136 Kindle readers
From the Publisher
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Reviews with images
Extremely Sad and Funny all in one
Jennette McCurdy unveils the poignant narrative of her challenging childhood. The book, echoing the title of her one-woman performance, serves as a poignant reflection on the tumultuous years marked by what the author characterizes as enduring emotional abuse inflicted by her demanding and emotionally unstable stage mom, Debra.Hailing from Los Angeles, McCurdy, alongside three older brothers, navigated a home dominated by her mother's control. At the tender age of 3, her mother faced a diagnosis of breast cancer, a battle she initially survived but one that would ultimately claim her life when the author was 21. McCurdy courageously lays bare the intervening years, delving into the depths of how "my mom emotionally, mentally, and physically abused me in ways that will forever impact me."Debra, driven by an unrelenting desire to mold her only daughter into "Mommy's little actress," orchestrated auditions for McCurdy starting at the tender age of 6. As the author matured and secured acting roles, she found herself caught in a relentless pursuit to impress her mother, who, in turn, grew increasingly fixated on her daughter's physical appearance. The narrative unfolds to reveal a mother who, with a cruel perfectionist demeanor, subjected McCurdy to extreme measures—tinting her eyelashes, whitening her teeth, enforcing strict calorie restrictions, and conducting invasive examinations during her teenage years.As McCurdy naturally sought independence and distance from her mother, her burgeoning celebrity status exposed her to the perils of eating disorders, alcohol addiction, self-loathing, and tumultuous relationships. Throughout the memoir, McCurdy candidly portrays Debra's abusive behavior patterns, showcasing a woman prone to rage triggered by everything from crooked eyeliner to spilled milk. Despite the cruelty, the author approaches her deeply flawed mother with a sense of compassion.Towards the conclusion, McCurdy shares a heart-wrenching secret unveiled by her father in adulthood. While she didn't emerge unscathed from her tumultuous childhood, McCurdy transforms her harrowing experience into a powerful stage act, achieving a catharsis that brings solace to her mind, body, and acting career.The memoir unfolds as a heartbreaking account of an emotionally battered child, narrated with captivating candor and grace, showcasing McCurdy's resilience and ability to find healing through her artistic expression.
Top reviews from United Kingdom
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 31 January 2024
Hailing from Los Angeles, McCurdy, alongside three older brothers, navigated a home dominated by her mother's control. At the tender age of 3, her mother faced a diagnosis of breast cancer, a battle she initially survived but one that would ultimately claim her life when the author was 21. McCurdy courageously lays bare the intervening years, delving into the depths of how "my mom emotionally, mentally, and physically abused me in ways that will forever impact me."
Debra, driven by an unrelenting desire to mold her only daughter into "Mommy's little actress," orchestrated auditions for McCurdy starting at the tender age of 6. As the author matured and secured acting roles, she found herself caught in a relentless pursuit to impress her mother, who, in turn, grew increasingly fixated on her daughter's physical appearance. The narrative unfolds to reveal a mother who, with a cruel perfectionist demeanor, subjected McCurdy to extreme measures—tinting her eyelashes, whitening her teeth, enforcing strict calorie restrictions, and conducting invasive examinations during her teenage years.
As McCurdy naturally sought independence and distance from her mother, her burgeoning celebrity status exposed her to the perils of eating disorders, alcohol addiction, self-loathing, and tumultuous relationships. Throughout the memoir, McCurdy candidly portrays Debra's abusive behavior patterns, showcasing a woman prone to rage triggered by everything from crooked eyeliner to spilled milk. Despite the cruelty, the author approaches her deeply flawed mother with a sense of compassion.
Towards the conclusion, McCurdy shares a heart-wrenching secret unveiled by her father in adulthood. While she didn't emerge unscathed from her tumultuous childhood, McCurdy transforms her harrowing experience into a powerful stage act, achieving a catharsis that brings solace to her mind, body, and acting career.
The memoir unfolds as a heartbreaking account of an emotionally battered child, narrated with captivating candor and grace, showcasing McCurdy's resilience and ability to find healing through her artistic expression.
Extremely Sad and Funny all in one
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 31 January 2024
Jennette McCurdy unveils the poignant narrative of her challenging childhood. The book, echoing the title of her one-woman performance, serves as a poignant reflection on the tumultuous years marked by what the author characterizes as enduring emotional abuse inflicted by her demanding and emotionally unstable stage mom, Debra.Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 31 January 2024
Hailing from Los Angeles, McCurdy, alongside three older brothers, navigated a home dominated by her mother's control. At the tender age of 3, her mother faced a diagnosis of breast cancer, a battle she initially survived but one that would ultimately claim her life when the author was 21. McCurdy courageously lays bare the intervening years, delving into the depths of how "my mom emotionally, mentally, and physically abused me in ways that will forever impact me."
Debra, driven by an unrelenting desire to mold her only daughter into "Mommy's little actress," orchestrated auditions for McCurdy starting at the tender age of 6. As the author matured and secured acting roles, she found herself caught in a relentless pursuit to impress her mother, who, in turn, grew increasingly fixated on her daughter's physical appearance. The narrative unfolds to reveal a mother who, with a cruel perfectionist demeanor, subjected McCurdy to extreme measures—tinting her eyelashes, whitening her teeth, enforcing strict calorie restrictions, and conducting invasive examinations during her teenage years.
As McCurdy naturally sought independence and distance from her mother, her burgeoning celebrity status exposed her to the perils of eating disorders, alcohol addiction, self-loathing, and tumultuous relationships. Throughout the memoir, McCurdy candidly portrays Debra's abusive behavior patterns, showcasing a woman prone to rage triggered by everything from crooked eyeliner to spilled milk. Despite the cruelty, the author approaches her deeply flawed mother with a sense of compassion.
Towards the conclusion, McCurdy shares a heart-wrenching secret unveiled by her father in adulthood. While she didn't emerge unscathed from her tumultuous childhood, McCurdy transforms her harrowing experience into a powerful stage act, achieving a catharsis that brings solace to her mind, body, and acting career.
The memoir unfolds as a heartbreaking account of an emotionally battered child, narrated with captivating candor and grace, showcasing McCurdy's resilience and ability to find healing through her artistic expression.
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 May 2023
Top reviews from other countries
Vania V. Oliveira
Excelente e rápida leitura
Reviewed in Brazil on 30 September 2022