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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
An engaging, smart, and startling memoir that perfectly captures Remini's tough girl voice. Highly recommended, especially for readers intrigued by cults, Scientology, and the trials of Hollywood.
Leah Remini is one of the few people I genuinely want to meet someday. This memoir/expose is totally indicative of why--she's loyal, funny, tough, and caring, and she will fight against the injustices she sees in the world.
Ms. Remini starts this memoir with brutal honesty, confessing to her flaws with candor and no hint of reluctance. She keeps that candor throughout her book, telling everything like she sees it, but without trying to be scandalous. There's no hint of the gossipy, "Just think of all the stories I could tell you if I wanted" tone that many memoirs take on. Instead, Ms. Remini is focused on telling the reader about Scientology, her experience with it, and her break from it. And it's amazing and harsh and sometimes painful.
Highly recommended, especially as a supplement to other Scientology exposes, such as Going Clear.
Ms. Remini starts this memoir with brutal honesty, confessing to her flaws with candor and no hint of reluctance. She keeps that candor throughout her book, telling everything like she sees it, but without trying to be scandalous. There's no hint of the gossipy, "Just think of all the stories I could tell you if I wanted" tone that many memoirs take on. Instead, Ms. Remini is focused on telling the reader about Scientology, her experience with it, and her break from it. And it's amazing and harsh and sometimes painful.
Highly recommended, especially as a supplement to other Scientology exposes, such as Going Clear.
funny
fast-paced
Solid read. I enjoyed listening to Ms. Remini read it.
This book may be of interest to you if you are:
- a fan of Leah Remini as an actress from "King of Queens" or elsewhere
- eager for any scrap of information on how Hollywood works behind the scenes, or getting into Hollywood
- curious about what Scientology is like, and what's so bad about it
- you're curious about the Shelly Miscavige mystery
This book tells the rags-to-riches story of Leah Remini becoming an actress. Of her struggles to achieve success and her struggles once she was successful. It also talks about scientology; about how her family got into it, about her involvement with it, her commitment and her concerns, and how things changed when she turned from a pauper into a millionaire actress. She talks about the head of scientology, David Miscavige, about Tom Cruise, and the hypocrisy and machinations of scientology.
One could argue that everything portrayed here, in her personal life, Hollywood and scientology, is just Leah Remini's side of the story. That other people may tell a version of events putting her in a less positive light. But the author isn't shy about her faults. She comes across as genuine; a hard-working, difficult to get along with, passionate and caring individual.
Quite possibly the most disturbing part is Leah Remini's efforts over several years to demand scientology explain what happened to David Miscavige's wife, Shelly. Why did she suddenly disappear from the public eye, and stop responding to all forms of communication? Why did David Miscavige take his assistant as his partner to events where his wife should have been his date? The author pushed for LAPD to investigate. They ended up dropping the case. The Church of Scientology insists that Shelly is totally fine and has been living her life all these years just the way she wants - but there's been no evidence that she is even alive. Many believe she is being held in a scientology compound as a literal prisoner (scientology is known for physically abusing those who have fallen out of favor). Since the book has come out, there are still no answers on what has happened to her.
- a fan of Leah Remini as an actress from "King of Queens" or elsewhere
- eager for any scrap of information on how Hollywood works behind the scenes, or getting into Hollywood
- curious about what Scientology is like, and what's so bad about it
- you're curious about the Shelly Miscavige mystery
This book tells the rags-to-riches story of Leah Remini becoming an actress. Of her struggles to achieve success and her struggles once she was successful. It also talks about scientology; about how her family got into it, about her involvement with it, her commitment and her concerns, and how things changed when she turned from a pauper into a millionaire actress. She talks about the head of scientology, David Miscavige, about Tom Cruise, and the hypocrisy and machinations of scientology.
One could argue that everything portrayed here, in her personal life, Hollywood and scientology, is just Leah Remini's side of the story. That other people may tell a version of events putting her in a less positive light. But the author isn't shy about her faults. She comes across as genuine; a hard-working, difficult to get along with, passionate and caring individual.
Quite possibly the most disturbing part is Leah Remini's efforts over several years to demand scientology explain what happened to David Miscavige's wife, Shelly. Why did she suddenly disappear from the public eye, and stop responding to all forms of communication? Why did David Miscavige take his assistant as his partner to events where his wife should have been his date? The author pushed for LAPD to investigate. They ended up dropping the case. The Church of Scientology insists that Shelly is totally fine and has been living her life all these years just the way she wants - but there's been no evidence that she is even alive. Many believe she is being held in a scientology compound as a literal prisoner (scientology is known for physically abusing those who have fallen out of favor). Since the book has come out, there are still no answers on what has happened to her.
This was my first read into the world of Scientology. I must say, my mouth was agape at much of what occured in this book. From what I have read, I applaud Leah Remini for having the courage to not just leave the group but to speak out about it.
First and foremost, this is a book about a woman who has grown up knowing no other way to live. Her mum got involved with the Church (?) when Leah was just 8 years old. This is all she has ever known and never questioned. We read about how her family survives on almost nothing, how she was determined to be an actress and she never wavered in her beliefs about that. Leah is a strong woman who speaks up when she sees an injustice and is not afraid of the repercussions (as evident by the publication of this book).
Whilst Remini does not discredit the teachings of L. Ron Hubbard, she believes that after he passed away, the new leader, David Miscavige took control in a way that turned away from the teachings of LRH. She talks about Tom Cruise and his role within this group. It is all very interesting.
For me, it was an insight into a religion that no one really seems to know the truth about. Rumours fly all over the place, but no one really knows what happens behind the closed doors. Leah opens our eyes to way that these people blindly follow their leader in everything that he says. Upon reading this book, it makes me wonder how adults allow themselves to get caught up in the group. I understand that everyone wants to find meaning, but why does meaning and self-worth have to cost so much - not only money but emotionally and mentally as well.
Thoughtful and well written, I was impressed with Leah's views on the world as a whole. You can see the comedian underneath this strong, outspoken woman, as well as the longing and need to belong and be loved. That is all any of us want. Thank you for sharing your story. I know it cannot have been an easy one to share.
First and foremost, this is a book about a woman who has grown up knowing no other way to live. Her mum got involved with the Church (?) when Leah was just 8 years old. This is all she has ever known and never questioned. We read about how her family survives on almost nothing, how she was determined to be an actress and she never wavered in her beliefs about that. Leah is a strong woman who speaks up when she sees an injustice and is not afraid of the repercussions (as evident by the publication of this book).
Whilst Remini does not discredit the teachings of L. Ron Hubbard, she believes that after he passed away, the new leader, David Miscavige took control in a way that turned away from the teachings of LRH. She talks about Tom Cruise and his role within this group. It is all very interesting.
For me, it was an insight into a religion that no one really seems to know the truth about. Rumours fly all over the place, but no one really knows what happens behind the closed doors. Leah opens our eyes to way that these people blindly follow their leader in everything that he says. Upon reading this book, it makes me wonder how adults allow themselves to get caught up in the group. I understand that everyone wants to find meaning, but why does meaning and self-worth have to cost so much - not only money but emotionally and mentally as well.
Thoughtful and well written, I was impressed with Leah's views on the world as a whole. You can see the comedian underneath this strong, outspoken woman, as well as the longing and need to belong and be loved. That is all any of us want. Thank you for sharing your story. I know it cannot have been an easy one to share.
This book kind of lingers with me even though I've started my next book already. The first half of the book was moderately interesting. I enjoy learning how Leah got her start in acting and Scientology. The last half of the book was mind blowing! The whole Tom and Katie wedding debacle was insane to read about and in the last half of the book I felt like I was reading some creepy futuristic dystopian novel. I kept having to remind myself it wasn't fiction... I also recommend watching Leah's documentary on A&E.
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
sad
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced