The 40th anniversary edition of the “shocking” #1 New York Times bestseller with an exclusive new introduction by the author (Los Angeles Times). When Christina Crawford’s harrowing chronicle of child abuse was first published in 1978, it brought global attention to the previously closeted subject. It also shed light on the guarded world of Hollywood and stripped away the façade of Christina’s … away the façade of Christina’s relentless, alcoholic abuser: her adoptive mother, movie star Joan Crawford.
Christina was a young girl shown off to the world as a fortunate little princess. But at home, her lonely, controlling, even ruthless mother made her life a nightmare. A fierce battle of wills, their relationship could be characterized as an ultimately successful, for Christina, struggle for independence. She endured and survived, becoming the voice of so many other victims who suffered in silence, and giving them the courage to forge a productive life out of chaos.
This ebook edition features an exclusive new introduction by the author, plus rare photographs from her personal collection and one hundred pages of revealing material not found in the original manuscript.
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I cannot imagine the strength it took for Christina Crawford to live through so many traumatic things, and then to write about them. Once you start reading you can’t put it down, and you rejoice for Christina when she finally breaks free of her mother, completes her education, and stands on her own two feet!
A very sad story. Heartbreaking, but not surprising, to find out what kind of woman Joan Crawford was. Glad to hear Christina was able to overcome her childhood.
Very sad that a rich famous woman was incapable of loving anyone,
A ‘top-shelf’ volume that speaks for itself. Definitely a ‘can’t-put-down-until-finished’ tale!
Great look at how we perceive people based upon the public persona they project of themselves.
We all know the gist of the story that unfolds in this book, written by the victim. But, even if some details are overemphasized, this story of an adopted child’s extreme mistreatment during her childhood is frankly terrifying. One hopes that such cruelty by a mother – herself subject to what were possibly psychotic episodes – would be exposed and dealt with by today’s child welfare authorities; though there is still plenty of cruelty going on between children and their ‘protectors’ even now. In this case things were definitely not what they seemed on the surface Ms Crawford’s children were paraded before the public to show what a wonderful mother she was. Little did they know what went on behind the scenes. What they saw was not real life.
It’s sad to hear about children who are abused and no adult in their life helps them.
Mommie Dearest
By: Christina Crawford
5 out of 5 stars
The story Mommie Dearest by Christina Crawford is a biography. It tells the story of a daughter whose only wish in life is to be loved and gain the acceptance of her mother Joan Crawford. It is also a book that sheds light on the abuse that she received. The story is heartbreaking and at times had me angry with situations that occurred. It is also a story of survival and of the strength of character that Christina showed throughout her life. The book gives details about Hollywood and the different roles that Joan Crawford played as well as how alcohol was a major part of her life. I found my emotions going up and down the entire time that I was reading this story and I found Christina to be someone what I had empathy for. Even with her home life in chaos, Christina was a someone who excelled in all that she did. This is a story that kept me up far into the night as I just couldn’t put it down until I had finished the final page. This is a biography that touched me deeply. I highly recommend reading it.
I had always heard that there was something “off” about Joan Crawford, but I never expected this! Her incredible cruelty toward her children is beyond belief. Why Christina continued to make effort after effort to improve their relationship is something that I don’t understand, despite the fact that Joan was her mother. I would have been long gone from that toxic woman. I recommend this book.
I saw the movie years ago and the book is so much more heartbreaking. I found it hard to keep up with who was who and the time frame sometimes because she jumps ahead then back. But over all a good book of a very sad story of a mean woman, who should have never had children.
Very depressing and often contradictory.
I think anyone who has been the victim of child abuse needs to read this book.
This book was really sad, but interesting.