Christina Crawford’s book “Mommie Dearest” really got people talking when it came out. It tells about her life growing up with her adoptive mother, who was the famous actress Joan Crawford. The book describes a childhood that was far from easy, and at times quite disturbing.
If you are interested in books that touch on similar subjects, maybe complicated family relationships between mothers and daughters, or if you read memoirs that don’t shy away from showing the darker parts of family life, here are some authors you might find interesting.
Books by Augusten Burroughs offer readers a candid look into a chaotic family life that fans of Christina Crawford might appreciate.
His memoir “Running with Scissors” describes his bizarre childhood after his mentally unstable mother places him in the care of her eccentric psychiatrist. Burroughs’ storytelling captures moments of unsettling humor, family dysfunction, and emotional rawness.
The book portrays how he navigates a world without structure, surrounded by events that range from disturbing to oddly amusing.
Readers of Christina Crawford’s “Mommie Dearest,” who connected with her honest portrayal of family complexity, may find Burroughs’ account equally absorbing.
Carrie Fisher was an actress and author who wrote openly about fame, family, and personal struggles. Her memoir, “Wishful Drinking,” captures Fisher’s humor and honesty as she recounts her life in Hollywood.
Fisher describes growing up as the daughter of celebrities Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher, and her complicated experiences starring as Princess Leia in “Star Wars.” She also shares candid anecdotes about her battles with addiction and mental health.
Readers who enjoy Christina Crawford’s “Mommie Dearest,” which explores family drama behind closed doors in the entertainment industry, will appreciate Fisher’s sharp humor and equally revealing insights.
Readers who appreciate Christina Crawford’s honest exploration of family relationships might find Joan Didion’s memoir “The Year of Magical Thinking” equally powerful.
Didion offers a raw account of her life in the year following the sudden death of her husband, writer John Gregory Dunne. She navigates through the waves of grief, confusion, and the strange logic that loss creates.
Didion captures the pain of losing someone close, but also the ways that life and memories intertwine. Fans of emotional, heartfelt memoirs will find authenticity and clarity in Didion’s reflective style.
Readers who appreciated Christina Crawford’s candid examination of celebrity culture in “Mommie Dearest” will likely find Kitty Kelley’s “His Way: The Unauthorized Biography of Frank Sinatra” equally fascinating.
Kelley is known for writing detailed, unauthorized biographies that fearlessly explore the private lives of famous figures. In “His Way,” she challenges Sinatra’s carefully crafted public persona with stories from behind the scenes.
The book exposes Sinatra’s connections in Hollywood and politics, his triumphs, struggles, and the controversies that followed him throughout his life. Kelley provides a vivid look at Sinatra’s complexities, much as Crawford revealed the darker side of fame in her own work.
Truman Capote Truman Capote was an American author famous for writing sharp, incisive portrayals of human character and emotion.
If you appreciate Christina Crawford’s honest exploration of complicated family dynamics and emotional truth, you might enjoy Capote’s “In Cold Blood.” This groundbreaking book tells the true story of the brutal murder of the Clutter family in a quiet Kansas town.
Capote doesn’t just recount events; he probes deep into the minds and lives of the killers and victims alike. He paints a deeply affecting portrait of community, crime, and humanity, layering details that linger long after the story ends.
Books by Andrew Morton offer a detailed and personal look into the lives of public figures, similar to Christina Crawford’s honest approach in “Mommie Dearest.”
His biography “Diana: Her True Story” exposes the private struggles and realities faced by Princess Diana behind her public image. Morton uses interviews and personal confidences from Diana herself, revealing the painful aspects of royal life and family relationships.
This book provides insight into emotional turmoil and hidden pressures, appealing to readers who value candid and sensitive biographies.
Books by Chelsea Handler offer readers humorous and candid glimpses into her personal life. In “Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea,” Handler recounts stories from her youth through adulthood with a sharp wit and blunt honesty.
She details experiences ranging from outrageous family antics to wild dating adventures, all told with humor and directness that fans of Christina Crawford’s memoirs will likely appreciate.
Handler’s openness in sharing personal and often absurd situations gives readers a funny, unapologetic take on growing up and finding her way.
Cheryl Strayed is an author known for her honest and deeply personal storytelling style, which readers of Christina Crawford may find appealing. Her memoir, “Wild,” follows her journey hiking the Pacific Crest Trail after the loss of her mother and her marriage falling apart.
Strayed faces challenging obstacles and self-examination as she travels hundreds of miles alone. Her vivid descriptions and emotional depth reveal a story of grief, healing, and self-discovery that stays with readers long after finishing the book.
Hunter S. Thompson is an author famous for his raw honesty and unconventional storytelling style.
If you were fascinated by Christina Crawford’s revealing memoir about familial dysfunction, you might appreciate Thompson’s fearless examination of American excess and disillusionment in “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.”
This semi-autobiographical novel follows Thompson’s alter ego, Raoul Duke, and his eccentric attorney, Dr. Gonzo, as they take a wild drug-fueled road trip through the Las Vegas strip.
Thompson captures the chaos and contradictions of 1970s America with sharp humor and striking insights. His narrative pushes boundaries and lays bare human flaws, offering you vivid scenes you won’t soon forget.
Readers who enjoyed Christina Crawford’s frank storytelling might appreciate James Ellroy’s gritty exploration of crime and corruption. Ellroy is famous for crafting tense, dark crime novels set in mid-twentieth-century America, particularly Los Angeles.
His book “L.A. Confidential” portrays the seedy backdrop of 1950s Hollywood filled with glamour, scandal, and moral ambiguity.
Three detectives, each flawed but deeply human, chase after a violent trail that leads to powerful figures and dark secrets buried within the city’s glamorous facade. Ellroy delivers complex characters and intense situations that make for an unforgettable read.
Readers who appreciated Christina Crawford’s “Mommie Dearest” might also connect with Mary Karr’s memoir, “The Liars’ Club.” Karr is deeply honest, witty, and unflinching in the way she recalls her chaotic Texas childhood.
She explores her family’s struggles with addiction, complicated relationships, and unpredictable emotions. The story moves between humor and heartbreak, making Karr’s experiences vivid and relatable, especially her relationship with a powerful but troubled mother.
The book doesn’t shy away from difficult truths, and readers who value openness and bravery in memoir writing will find “The Liars’ Club” memorable and absorbing.
Megan Twohey is an investigative journalist known for exposing powerful stories, especially about abuses hidden behind fame and authority.
In her book “She Said,” co-authored with Jodi Kantor, Twohey offers readers an inside look at how they uncovered sexual harassment allegations against movie producer Harvey Weinstein.
The narrative presents their research process, the careful interviewing of sources, and the tense environment as they navigated legal threats and fear.
Readers who enjoyed Christina Crawford’s “Mommie Dearest,” with its bold revelations about abuse behind glamorous facades, may also find resonance in Twohey’s courageous examination of the hidden realities in Hollywood.
Michael Musto is an entertaining author well-known for his humorous and candid exploration of pop culture and celebrity life. If you enjoyed Christina Crawford’s portrayal of behind-the-scenes celebrity drama, you’ll likely appreciate Musto’s book, “Downtown.”
It offers an insider’s perspective on the nightlife and celebrity scene of New York City. Through anecdotes and sharp commentary, Musto captures the glamour, excess, scandals, and personalities of the iconic club culture era.
He introduces fascinating characters and vividly portrays the celebrity lifestyle with honesty and humor. For readers drawn to candid storytelling about fame, glamour, and drama, Michael Musto’s perspective provides a fresh and intriguing look at modern celebrity culture.
Readers familiar with Christina Crawford’s honest and revealing storytelling might appreciate Neil Strauss and his book “The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists.” Strauss is a journalist who immerses himself in whatever he investigates.
In “The Game,” he explores the hidden world of pickup artists—a community of men dedicated to perfecting techniques to attract women. Strauss shares his own journey as he transitions from an introverted writer to someone mastering this unusual form of social interaction.
The book provides a personal look at identity, confidence, manipulation, and the ethics behind relationships. It brings to light fascinating characters while highlighting the social dynamics involved in human connection.
Books by Pamela Des Barres offer readers a candid glimpse into the intense, often chaotic world of rock and roll fame. Those who connected with Christina Crawford’s “Mommie Dearest” might appreciate Des Barres' memoir “I’m with the Band: Confessions of a Groupie.”
In this memoir, she openly shares her adventures and relationships with iconic musicians like Mick Jagger, Jimmy Page, and Jim Morrison.
The narrative goes beyond celebrity encounters—it’s also a personal journey about youthful dreams, self-discovery, and the highs and lows of being close to rock legends.
Her vivid storytelling and honesty draw readers directly into the glamorous yet turbulent atmosphere of 1960s and '70s rock culture.