Format: hardcover
Pages: 320
Published: August 9, 2022
Where I Got It: Borrowed from friend
Summary:
A heartbreaking and hilarious memoir by iCarly and Sam & Cat star Jennette McCurdy about her struggles as a former child actor—including eating disorders, addiction, and a complicated relationship with her overbearing mother—and how she retook control of her life.
Jennette McCurdy was six years old when she had her first acting audition. Her mother’s dream was for her only daughter to become a star, and Jennette would do anything to make her mother happy. So she went along with what Mom called “calorie restriction,” eating little and weighing herself five times a day. She endured extensive at-home makeovers while Mom chided, “Your eyelashes are invisible, okay? You think Dakota Fanning doesn’t tint hers?” She was even showered by Mom until age sixteen while sharing her diaries, email, and all her income.
Review:
Many of my friends read this and I do remember liking iCarly in my youth soooo I had to read this.
Here we read Jennette's story in her words. We see her as a child becoming a star. We see her grow up with that stardom. We see her live her mother's dream. Jennette would do anything to make her mother happy so she went along for the ride. Even after her mother's passing, she would struggle to free herself from her mother's vision.
This was so extremely sad. Yes, just like life, there is some humor which helped. Overall though, this was so sad. So tragic.
Just like a lot of child star's she had a mom who pushed her NOT because the child wanted to be a star, but because the parent wanted to live through their kid. Diets and abuse to keep the kid on track. So very sad.
It took me forever to read this. Not because it was bad, but because it was good. It made me feel. It made me react. There are some parts that struck a little too close to home for me. I def had to take this in strides and in small amounts. This reminded me over an overly strong drink. Very good, but strong, so you need to take baby sips.
The writing was great. I hope Jennette writes more. Maybe not about her life, but I could def see some self-help books or even fiction novels. She really had a way about her writing that I liked.
All-in-all, this was really good. Even if you didn't watch the show or know anything about Jennette....I think you would really enjoy this. It was tragic with tiny sprinkles of hope and humor. I'll stamp this with 5 stars.
ONE WORD SUMMARY: Tragic
7 comments:
It's hard to find a child star story that isn't sad like this, unfortunately. I never watched the show, but a life story like this that is well-written would hit hard.
For real Sophia...it's more rare when a child star HAD a good life and little drama/issues/trauma. :/
KC reviewed this one and really loved it too.
Anne - Books of My Heart
Glad you enjoyed this one. I have no clue who she is.
I'm glad you liked this one. I don't know who she is!
After the doc that came out I started wondering about this one again
Anne, really? I'll have to look at KC's review.
Jen, ee! Double ;) Yeah - she was only part of a couple of shows. She pretty much quit acting afterward.
B, it was a goodie.
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