Reviews with content warning for Child abuse - Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology

This was super readable, I devoured it in like a day, which is rare for me with non-fiction books. It definitely spilled some tea on the inner workings of Scientology and Hollywood which was delicious (let's be frank, I read it for the drama). So overall I liked it. Having said that though I think Leah Remini felt like Scientology's only real problem was that L. Ron Hubbard was no longer at the helm. She wrote this book only two years after leaving the church and I feel like she still had a lot to unpack.

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etherealmirai's review against another edition

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emotional informative reflective fast-paced

5.0

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libbyhb's review against another edition

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emotional funny informative fast-paced

4.5

This was such a great read - ESPECIALLY on audio. I loved listening to Leah tell her story with all of the character she brought to the written words. I read this after reading Going Clear, and it was a helpful add-on to my Scientology studies. Growing up in the church gave Leah such an interesting perspective. And of course I loved the wild Tom Cruise stories. This was funny, dark, heartbreaking, and ultimately hopeful and I'd recommend it to basically anyone.

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bunnypez's review

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dark emotional funny informative sad tense medium-paced

5.0

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inkdrinkers's review against another edition

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dark funny medium-paced

4.0

This was a fascinating memior about Leah's life. From her rocky childhood to her scrappy attitude that she would make it in Hollywood to, ultimately, the fall out with Scientology, this book doesn't shy away from hard topics.

I know that some people were disappointed by the lack of information about the cult, but at the end of the day, everything was framed and told by Leah and it was an important part of her life. To expect the book to completely bash something that was such an important part of her life is to expect too much. What it DOES deliver on is detailing the gross mishandling of funds, information, and abuses that were carried out by people in the name of Scientology.

I have to admit, my jaw was on the floor the entire chapter about Tom Cruise and Katie Holme's wedding. It's one thing to have preconceived notions about celebrities, but to hear confirmation about how unhinged they are is another. This was a great audiobook to listen to, and I look forward to watching Leah Remini's documentary on Scientology too!

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charlie_borowicz's review against another edition

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emotional funny informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

My partner recommended this after we both watched Going Clear and Scientology and the Aftermath. I have so much respect and admiration for Leah Remini and all she has been through. She tells her story with sincerity and humor. The pace is ideal-- enough time to give detail but not bogging down the story. Hearing her read it brought everything to life. Highly recommend the audiobook version, but the story carries itself enough that I'm sure reading it would be fantastic.

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