Mommie Dearest

by Christina Crawford
Mommie Dearest cover
Good Books rating 4.08
Biography and Memoir
Technical
  • ID: 1766
  • Added: 2025-10-09
  • Updated: 2025-10-09
  • ISBN: 9781504049085
  • Publisher: Open Road Media
  • Published: 2017-11-21
  • Reviews: 3

Christina Crawford's 'Mommie Dearest' is a shocking and candid memoir that brought global attention to the issue of child abuse. Published in 1978, it revealed the hidden horrors of Christina's childhood under the control of her adoptive mother, movie star Joan Crawford. The book strips away the glamorous façade of Hollywood to expose a life of loneliness, control, and ruthlessness. Christina's struggle for independence is a powerful narrative of endurance and survival, giving voice to countless victims who suffered in silence. This edition includes an exclusive introduction by Christina, rare photographs, and additional material not found in the original manuscript, providing a deeper insight into her traumatic childhood.

Reviews
Vanity Fair · 2024-03-01
unsettling 3.75

The book is described as an exhausting and terrifying read, vastly different from the campy horror of its movie adaptation. It is seen as a raw and intense exploration of a dysfunctional family dynamic.

The reviewer emphasizes that the memoir is a far cry from the campy horror of the 1981 movie, offering instead a gripping and unsettling portrayal of a mother-daughter relationship gone terribly wrong. They note that the book's raw and unfiltered narrative makes it a challenging but essential read for those interested in the darker aspects of Hollywood history and the complexities of familial abuse.

Quick quotes

    Mommie Dearest is an exhausting, raw, terrifying read, quite different from the campy horror of the 1981 movie version starring Faye Dunaway.

    The book offers a gripping and unsettling portrayal of a mother-daughter relationship gone terribly wrong.

    It is a raw and unfiltered narrative that makes it a challenging but essential read.

The Guardian · 2019-06-26
powerful 4.50

The memoir is praised for its groundbreaking documentation of child abuse, offering a raw and unflinching look at the author's traumatic upbringing. It is seen as a courageous and important piece of literature.

The reviewer acknowledges the memoir as a pioneering work that sheds light on the often-hidden issue of child abuse. They appreciate the author's bravery in sharing her story, which is both heart-wrenching and enlightening. The memoir is viewed as a significant contribution to the discourse on abuse and its long-lasting effects, making it a must-read for those interested in understanding the depths of human suffering and resilience.

Quick quotes

    Her memoir of life with her abusive adoptive mother, the Hollywood superstar Joan Crawford, was perhaps the first ever to document child abuse.

    It is a raw and unflinching account that offers a glimpse into the horrors of childhood trauma.

    The book is a testament to the author's courage and a call to action for greater awareness and prevention of child abuse.

The New York Times · 1978-12-24
harrowing 4.00

The book is described as a horror story that transcends showbiz scandal-mongering, delving into a deeply disturbing tale of inverted mother-love and emotional bondage. It is seen as a morbidly compelling narrative.

The reviewer presents this memoir as a chilling account that goes beyond mere Hollywood gossip. They highlight how the story uncovers the dark and twisted dynamics of a mother-daughter relationship, making it a profoundly unsettling read. The emotional intensity and raw portrayal of abuse are noted as particularly impactful, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

Quick quotes

    This is a horror story that goes beyond showbiz scandal-mongering to become a morbidly disturbing saga of inverted mother-love and emotional bondage.

    The book is a chilling account of a daughter's life under the thumb of a tyrannical mother.

    It is a story that will leave readers deeply disturbed, yet unable to look away.

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