Scan barcode
A review by readclever
Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology by Leah Remini
5.0
I love reading memoirs and autobiographies. Remini's history, living in a cult, was part of my interest; however, as a child of the 1980s, I recognized her throughout my childhood as that actress everyone casted for a Brooklyn edge. I respected her on authenticity as an actress as well as a human after watching her on The Talk. Reading the chapters about her career, especially The Talk, really earned her more respect for sticking up for what's right. It's not always easy in her industry, to keep that empathetic yet ethical troublemaking part.
I won't talk much about Scientology as a religion since most of the information has been covered on her show as well as other ex-members. What I focused on was how she managed to deprogram herself over time, without intervention, because of a solid knowledge in who she is. When they pushed doubt, broke the very core part of that personality, she rallied. That's not easy. And it's even harder to be honest in her 'sins,' like dating and falling in love with a married man. That's not an easy thing to openly admit and take responsibility for.
It's also hard to accept that flawed parents can lead to too adult situations for children, like her mom and father. While she's obviously forgiven them, there's a part of that hurt in the book. It reads raw, valid, and heartbreaking for the little girl that used to be. Choosing to stay in a religion, in a cult, to stay with family and help support is a very mature decision.
I walked away with a lot of respect I didn't expect to find. Definitely recommend this book.
I won't talk much about Scientology as a religion since most of the information has been covered on her show as well as other ex-members. What I focused on was how she managed to deprogram herself over time, without intervention, because of a solid knowledge in who she is. When they pushed doubt, broke the very core part of that personality, she rallied. That's not easy. And it's even harder to be honest in her 'sins,' like dating and falling in love with a married man. That's not an easy thing to openly admit and take responsibility for.
It's also hard to accept that flawed parents can lead to too adult situations for children, like her mom and father. While she's obviously forgiven them, there's a part of that hurt in the book. It reads raw, valid, and heartbreaking for the little girl that used to be. Choosing to stay in a religion, in a cult, to stay with family and help support is a very mature decision.
I walked away with a lot of respect I didn't expect to find. Definitely recommend this book.