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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
This was surprisingly great, even 9 years later. I didn’t expect to like the celebrity aspect of this, but I really enjoyed the perspective Remini brings. I’m fascinated by Scientology and the extreme lengths the org goes to to manipulate people and narratives.
Troublemaker is a combination of two of my reading loves – celebrity tell-all memoirs and books about religious cults. I know Leah primarily from King of Queens and before this book came out, I didn’t even realize she had been a scientologist. Her story is unique because unlike most, if not all of the other celebrity scientologists, she was raised in the church. Even Tom Cruise, poster boy for scientology, is a convert. Leah’s childhood experiences in the church are horrifying but as a child she was helpless and couldn’t leave. As time went on, she became more and more indoctrinated.
Leah is as brash and outspoken as her character Carrie on King of Queens. She doesn’t sugarcoat anything and isn’t afraid to name names and tell it like it is. I loved getting the inside scoop on Tom Cruise’s wedding to Katie Holmes, among other things.
Troublemaker was highly satisfying as both a celebrity tell-all and former cult-member tell-all memoir.
Leah is as brash and outspoken as her character Carrie on King of Queens. She doesn’t sugarcoat anything and isn’t afraid to name names and tell it like it is. I loved getting the inside scoop on Tom Cruise’s wedding to Katie Holmes, among other things.
Troublemaker was highly satisfying as both a celebrity tell-all and former cult-member tell-all memoir.
I'd put this at 3.5 stars, if I could. It's written pretty well, but I didn't feel compelled to just read and read and read as I do with some memoirs. Leah Remini is definitely a funny woman, and it comes through a little in the writing, but she's much funnier on screen (not that her book is necessarily supposed to be funny anyway). She injects a lot of heart and emotion into telling this story, and I can't imagine going through all of what she wrote about. Scientology is fascinating and terrifying to me.
I've heard bits and pieces about Scientology, but have never really looked into it that much...this autobiography makes me want to do that (in a very horrified way). Leah's insider knowledge of the practices of the church are disturbing and I am so glad that she and most of her family have detached themselves from that abusive environment. This definitely reads as a book written by a celebrity, but is insightful and filled with years of knowledge of the church as her family became involved when she was a teenager, even before she began acting.
Interesting read. Fascinating at times. Tedious at others. Worth the time in the end.
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Pretty odd little memoir. Most of it is recalled dialogue between a bunch of players within her religious organization. It is also implying conspiracy but doesn't really explain it all enough to make a lot of sense. However, it was interesting, and a light read that I finished quickly. It just wasn't the detailed look into the religion that I expected. I came out knowing about as much as I had heard of before.
Scientology exposés will forever have me in a chokehold. I love this woman
This memoir/tell all from Leah Remini was a fascinating take down of Scientology. I love when a celebrity is willing to name names, and this book for sure did that. Leah came across as a genuine, no nonsense, outspoken woman, so one of the most interesting aspects of this book to me was how long she was a part of this church/organization. She really did a great job giving inside information into what Scientology is actually like. Quite frankly, it's pretty horrifying.
The only additional thing I would have liked to see from this book is more about her personally. I guess Scientology was her life though.
The only additional thing I would have liked to see from this book is more about her personally. I guess Scientology was her life though.
Such an interesting read! Leah Remini has such a compelling story and she does an amazing job telling it. You truly get a sense of who she is as a person and human being, beneath the celebrity status. I was a little surprised by just how much I enjoyed this book... I obviously thought it would be interesting or I wouldn't have started it, but once I started reading, I couldn't put it down! I respect Remini so much for writing this book.