A review by ela_lee_
Leaving Isn't the Hardest Thing by Lauren Hough
4.0
3.5 stars rounded up to 4. The beginning was a little slow and I can’t remember much, but ended with (by far) the two best essays, “Cable Guy” and “Everything That’s Beautiful Breaks My Heart.” And her essay about taking ecstasy for the first time. I found "Cable Guy" particularly interesting as it discussed the author’s 10+ year career as a cable tech in a male dominated, working class industry. Her bizarre stories of visiting dozens of peoples’ homes per day, sexual harassment at work, less pay, judgment from clients, and how something as simple as needing an official bathroom break threw off her entire work day.
I don’t think I realized what this book was about when I added it to my wish list, but it was less about escaping a cult and more about being a closeted lesbian for many years, partially due to being raised in a religious sex cult, joining the military, and living in the South Western US.
Especially when read in her own voice, Hough has a very sarcastic, dead pan, and pessimistic sense of humor. I didn’t always look forward to picking this book up, but when I started reading I was into it. I like how Hough admires her own strength as a child for never fully giving in to the church and her superiors: she didn’t allow the other members to sexual assault her the way I’m sure they did with many others, and she always knew she deserved the same rights as males.
Overall, a very unique and often sinister look into a real LGBTQ+ person's confusing and depressing life...with a glimmer and reminder of hope.
I don’t think I realized what this book was about when I added it to my wish list, but it was less about escaping a cult and more about being a closeted lesbian for many years, partially due to being raised in a religious sex cult, joining the military, and living in the South Western US.
Especially when read in her own voice, Hough has a very sarcastic, dead pan, and pessimistic sense of humor. I didn’t always look forward to picking this book up, but when I started reading I was into it. I like how Hough admires her own strength as a child for never fully giving in to the church and her superiors: she didn’t allow the other members to sexual assault her the way I’m sure they did with many others, and she always knew she deserved the same rights as males.
Overall, a very unique and often sinister look into a real LGBTQ+ person's confusing and depressing life...with a glimmer and reminder of hope.