sarahd22081 's review for:

Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology by Leah Remini, Rebecca Paley

5.0

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This book is much more than dishy celebrity gossip, although you will find plenty of that. It's a detailed look at the motivations and pressures that keep people in controlling religious groups, especially the Scientology power structure. I liked how Leah's story continued after she left the church, showing how difficult it can be to transition out of closely held beliefs and community, however toxic.

Leah's book follows the usual celebrity memoir formula: childhood ambitions and hardships, wild youth, crappy early gigs, then finally success and a loving family. But I was impressed with her introspection. She opens up by admitting her past wrongs, and shies away from blaming her family and friends for rough patches. It's inspiring to see that she still has the commitment to values and personal growth that Scientology distorted.