wastedwings's review against another edition
5.0
REALLY enjoyed this book. Totally different from other scientology escape books and I think it's good to gather as many perspectives as possible. I hope there is an update added to future copies of this book to tie up some loose ends with the "church" that were left unfinished.
ames007's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
pasteli's review against another edition
3.0
A brave account of the dangers of cults and the power of love. Michelle is clearly a strong woman
mariahroze's review against another edition
5.0
Every story that I read about Scientology and their former members my heart just breaks. This book was no exception. I suggest this book!
"For years, Michelle LeClair, former President of Scientology's international humanitarian organization, tried to reconcile her sexual orientation with the anti-gay ideology of the church. Michelle finally ends her horrific marriage, finds the love of her life, a woman, and ultimately leaves the Church. But the split comes at a terrible price. Her once pristine reputation is publicly dragged through the mud, the police raid her home, her ex-husband tries to gain full custody of their children, and the multi-million dollar business she built from scratch is utterly destroyed."
"For years, Michelle LeClair, former President of Scientology's international humanitarian organization, tried to reconcile her sexual orientation with the anti-gay ideology of the church. Michelle finally ends her horrific marriage, finds the love of her life, a woman, and ultimately leaves the Church. But the split comes at a terrible price. Her once pristine reputation is publicly dragged through the mud, the police raid her home, her ex-husband tries to gain full custody of their children, and the multi-million dollar business she built from scratch is utterly destroyed."
rebleejen's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
3.0
This was a quick read and reasonably interesting, but I felt like the author didn't have much insight into why she got sucked into Scientology in the first place or how she was able to convince herself the church was cool and good despite everything she witnessed over twenty years. Her story is interesting enough, but could have used more introspection.
thepeachmartini's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Another harrowing and horrific tale of the cult of Scientology and its mistreatment and abuse. Not only does this book discuss the abuse by the 'church' but a good portion of this book discusses domestic abuse (including s*xual assault), so proceed with caution if you are sensitive to that kind of thing.
Michelle's story did cause me to roll my eyes a time or two, namely any time there was reference to wealth. While she earned the money rather than being born into it (OK - she had wealthy clients, so that certainly helped), or being a celebrity, it was still ridiculous that she could just hire a helicopter to fly somewhere because it would have taken too long to drive with the traffic (granted, there was a domestic abuse situation in progress, but...telling your assistant to hire a helicopter and having it ready in mere minutes is just...silly).
This book shines a light on the homophobic and misogynistic views of the CoS - while women are permitted to hold high positions within the org, they're pressure into behaving as the perfect wife and catering to their husband's every whim.
...Speaking of women...where's Shelly?
Michelle's story did cause me to roll my eyes a time or two, namely any time there was reference to wealth. While she earned the money rather than being born into it (OK - she had wealthy clients, so that certainly helped), or being a celebrity, it was still ridiculous that she could just hire a helicopter to fly somewhere because it would have taken too long to drive with the traffic (granted, there was a domestic abuse situation in progress, but...telling your assistant to hire a helicopter and having it ready in mere minutes is just...silly).
This book shines a light on the homophobic and misogynistic views of the CoS - while women are permitted to hold high positions within the org, they're pressure into behaving as the perfect wife and catering to their husband's every whim.
...Speaking of women...where's Shelly?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
beckks's review
5.0
5/5
This is such an incredible story! Michelle, like Leah Remini, left Scientology after decades inside the cult. Her story of escape and resilience is inspiring.
If you are interested in Scientology and want to hear about it from a person who knew it well, I highly recommend this book.
*consumed as an audiobook and physical copy
This is such an incredible story! Michelle, like Leah Remini, left Scientology after decades inside the cult. Her story of escape and resilience is inspiring.
If you are interested in Scientology and want to hear about it from a person who knew it well, I highly recommend this book.
*consumed as an audiobook and physical copy
thunder_reads's review against another edition
2.0
A generally mediocre memoir that’s only interesting when it makes you sit in the discomfort of the Scientology specific experiences.
I found the scenes depicting the auditing process nauseating and engrossing, but most of the rest of the book being written with a calm detachment that was honestly confusing.
What stood out the most to me was the very strange and discomforting, white savior ways she discussed Black people. Including her daughter.
"she knew I had a passion for Africa and even tried to convince my husband to adopt an African child"
“I had always imagined myself with a black child”
girl WHAT
Then there was the whole bit about her wife being raised by a Black nanny who taught her not to be racist. And she argued against a restaurant that wouldn’t serve “Blacks”
I found the scenes depicting the auditing process nauseating and engrossing, but most of the rest of the book being written with a calm detachment that was honestly confusing.
What stood out the most to me was the very strange and discomforting, white savior ways she discussed Black people. Including her daughter.
"she knew I had a passion for Africa and even tried to convince my husband to adopt an African child"
“I had always imagined myself with a black child”
girl WHAT
Then there was the whole bit about her wife being raised by a Black nanny who taught her not to be racist. And she argued against a restaurant that wouldn’t serve “Blacks”
joshniesse's review against another edition
4.0
A disturbing look into the Scientology cult that reads in parts like a John Grisham novel.
beyond3va's review against another edition
4.0
Sorry but Scientologists are crazy....it was very very interesting to read her journey and all the things that are "behind the curtain" of Scientology.....honestly the main thing that bugged me was that she used another name for her partner in her book than her real name...which I found after I google'd her...but otherwise a good read!