Mommie Dearest is a 1981 memoir by Christina Crawford about her upbringing by her adoptive mother, actress Joan Crawford. The book was adapted into a film of the same name starring Faye Dunaway in 1982.
In the book, Christina describes how she was physically and emotionally abused by her mother throughout her childhood. She also alleges that Joan was an alcoholic who would often go on binges, during which she would become violent and abusive towards Christina and her siblings.
The book caused a sensation when it was first published, with many people wondering if it was true or just sensationalism. However, there is no denying that Joan Crawford was a difficult woman to deal with, and many of the stories in the book are likely true.