I am looking for a book about the main character dealing with their narcissistic mother and overcoming the childhood abuse and generational trauma. I don’t mind whether it’s fiction or nonfiction. Currently dealing with this soo would appreciate a character I can relate with 🙂
Hi guys, thank you soo much for all the awesome book recommendations. Lol I will be using this thread as my reading list. I really appreciate it and look forward to reading these books😊
by Constant-Persimmon22
25 Comments
Maybe
Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs
I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jeanette McCurdy fits the bill here if you don’t mind autobiographical work! The audiobook is great imo
White Oleander
Are You My Mother by Alison Bechdel
The show BoJack Horseman, if you like tv
I, Claudius
Robert Graves
Glass Castle. I would say her parents are narcissistic but they are problematic
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn perhaps?
Just wait for my autobiography.
‘I’m glad my mom died’ Jeanette McCurdy
Anywhere But Here by Mona Simpson
Nonfiction
Will I Ever Be Good Enough?; Will the Drama Ever End? by Karyl McBride
Running on Empty by Dr. Jonice Webb
Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook by Dr. Kristin Neff and Dr. Christopher Germer
Fiction: Playing With the Grown Ups by Sophie Dahl and Flowers in the Attic by Virginia Andrews
Nonfiction: Toxic Parents by Dr Susan Forward
Edited to fix typo
Not just about moms, but Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents by Lindsay Gibson (nonfiction) is really good and helpful.
Circe by Madeline Miller is a detailed and lifelike portrayal of the impact of narcissistic parents on a young woman’s self image. I especially love that it’s not too on the nose. The protagonist experiences the narcissism as any child would – believing and living it, feeling it’s normal and natural. She only realizes later how warped her family’s perspective is.
This book is famous for being a Greek myth retelling, but the genius is in the character study of a child of narcissistic parents.
Not fiction, but my therapist recommended the book “mothers who can’t love” to me. It was a wonderful/horrible book. Wonderful cause I finally felt so much less alone, horrible because I think I sobbed most of my way through the book
Mommie Dearest
The Dutch House by Ann Pratchett
I’m estranged from my mom (who was literally diagnosed with NPD) and during the healing process my therapist recommended me this: “Will I Ever Be Good Enough?: Healing the Daughters of Narcissistic Mothers” by Karyl McBride. It’s so incredibly helpful; also, sending good vibes from a fellow survivor <3
Carrie?
Go check out r/raisedbynarcissists they have relevant book recs over there.
Lots of people recommending ‘I’m Glad My Mum Died’ which absolutely fits the bill and is great, but another memoir featuring an abusive mother and generational trauma is Stephanie Foo’s ‘What My Bones Know’ which is also really great and doesn’t seem to be brought up as much.
Mommie Dearest is the classic
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine. Fabulous fiction book and very well done. Realistic portrayal of narcissism and trauma. (The audio version is fantastic, if you like audio versions.)
Gaslighting: Narcissistic Mothers (J. Brown) and But It’s Your Family! (S. Campbell). Both non-fiction, both great for getting some mental breathing room while going through this kind of situation.
Good Morning Monster has five stories and at least one is primarily about a narcissistic mother. Written by a therapist about five cases she worked with over the years.
It Didn’t Start With You by Mark Wolynn.
“How inherited family trauma shapes who we are and how to end the cycle”
Also,
Will I ever Be Good Enough?: Healing the Daughters of Narcissitic Mothers by Dr. Karyl McBride
I’m not a woman but when I identified as one this really helped me.