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epicmel 's review for:

5.0

Without any personal contact with this "church," I've had a hate-on for Scientology for over a decade, which is kind of funny, because I like science fiction. What I don't like, however, is blind obedience, violence, separating families* and bankrupting people for empty promises. So it's no surprise that I'd enjoy this book (a friend asked me to read it). Technically, this book should only get four stars from me, but Rimini's got brass ovaries, so that gets an extra star.

All joking aside, it takes a tremendous amount of courage to even question the belief system you were raised in, and true bravery to reject it. Rimini is sassy and self-deprecating, but I hope she gives herself credit for taking that first step of just saying, "wait a minute..." I questioned my faith, too, and walked away from it as well. so I have an affinity for other apostates. The difference is that my church didn't give a crap (one of the reasons I started questioning, but they could have easily cared too much). And, yes, I'm calling myself brave. Apostates are freaking super-heroes as far as I'm concerned.

I had to wait for the paperback to show up because the Kindle edition was $3 more, which is just stupid. While I waited for this book to arrive, I started another that was more straight reporting ([b:Inside Scientology: The Story of America's Most Secretive Religion|10091466|Inside Scientology The Story of America's Most Secretive Religion|Janet Reitman|http://images.gr-assets.com/books/1442818206s/10091466.jpg|14988434]). Troublemakes one was definitely more fun and, if I'm honest with myself, it was worth the price of admission to read the chapters on the Cruise/Holmes wedding debacle. That's some effed up kakky right there. I wasn't all that interested in the Hollywood parts of the story, except where it aligned/collided with Leah's experience with her church. YMMV.

*Unless they're toxic and you need/want them out of your life. Then go for it! But no one who isn't you should be making that decision.