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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
challenging
emotional
informative
medium-paced
I found myself fascinated by the story when Leah Remini left the Church of Scientology a few years ago, so I was eager to read her account of her life in the church and her subsequent departure in Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology. From what I gleaned from the book, I'm not sure that I understand how Scientology is a religion because it doesn't seem to have a god or gods at its center. But, it does have a moral code and a system to abide by in order to live a better existence, so maybe that is what makes it a religion. As an outsider, it mostly seems like an elaborate scheme to take people's money. Remini pulls no punches when she shares her story (sometimes veering into the brash which she readily owns) and I applaud her for coming forward and trying to be a voice for the disenfranchised within the organization. I think Remini feels that David Miscavige and Tom Cruise are the biggest issues with the religion, but I think she gave enough evidence of the overarching organization being corrupt and a scam without needing to focus so vehemently on those two men. I mean an organization that requires you to pay money to take classes and purchase coursework to advance as a spiritual being seems a bit suspect. Not only that, but to be on constant guard to "tattle" on fellow members for infractions and then to require that courses be taken again for these infractions just seems ridiculous. They also "reward" you the more money you donate to them and they ask for money to be donated so they can help in crisis situations (i.e. 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, etc.), but their help seems to consist of "spreading the word" which will then "help" those in crisis instead of actually doing tangible things to help in the situation. That to me is despicable. I am happy that Leah was not only able to leave, but that her family was willing to go with her. I hope her voice will help others.
Wasn't wild about reading a Hollywood tell-all (it was a book club pick), but found it pretty entertaining. It was not overtly sensational and almost read like a dystopian novel. I got a little lost in all the Scientology acronyms and lingo and still don't full understand the philosophy and structure of the church... but I probably don't really want to.
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Such an eye opening book into Leah’s life as well as Scientology. The part about living and working in a motel without her parents blew my mind and was so heartbreaking.
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
It's not that I didn't respect Leah Remini before going into this book, but it definitely shows how much she's been through. I'm no stranger to Scientology but this is the first account I've seen of someone who was so deeply entrenched and it offers yet another side of the religion to be skeptical of. A very interesting read and while you do get Remini's personal life journey mixed in, this really is a good focus on Scientology and how someone can become involved and stay involved in such a mixed up religion.