Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology – Leah Remini

I first became aware of Leah Remini’s issues with the Church of Scientology through her series on the A&E network, Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath. Not that criticism of the Church of Scientology was new to me. I had read Jenna Miscavige Hill’s book earlier so I was already familiar with some of what Leah Remini writes about.

It always surprises me when someone who seems to be as strong-willed as Ms. Remini is able to be controlled and manipulated by an association where participation is voluntary. Granted, when you grow up in something, that voluntary aspect of things does not always seem obvious to the participant. Sometimes it is just plain old hard to see the forest for the trees. However, it does speak to the intelligence and will of those who are able to break free from the psychological grasp of such organizations as the Church of Scientology.

If you are put off by street language, you may not care for this book. It didn’t bother me. The world Leah grew up in is reflected in her personality, which comes through loud and clear in this book. It seems to be a typical story of an unfulfilled need that gets filled by someone or something that shows up at just the right time. In this case it was Scientology, introduced to Ms. Remini by her mother, who was introduced to it by a boyfriend. It’s fascinating how something that can make us feel empowered can also imprison us. Which is pretty much Leah Remini’s case.

This book is not entirely about just the Church of Scientology, though you might argue that every aspect of Leah’s life, every decision she made (and perhaps still makes) was influenced by Scientology. When it has been such an intimate part of your being for so many years, it is hard to shake the thinking. It is actually an autobiography, and a pretty revealing one at that. She knew that if she was not honest in her writing that the church would take every opportunity to use something she left out against her. Even still, you can find stuff all over the internet where the church has been attacking her for her efforts against the church.

You won’t be reading this book or watching her television show about the church if you are a member of the church. It’s against the rules, so it is interesting that there are people from the church attacking her. Then again, most religious people follow the teachings of their church when it is most convenient to them and ignore the rest, though there are zealots in all “religions” who swallow everything hook, line and sinker. And then there is “management” in the church that knows that it is critical to their survival to put down critical thinking about their organization.

You may not appreciate Leah Remini’s, um, shall I say “abrasive” personality, but I do. I respect someone who thinks for herself, even if it comes later in life. Sometimes you just need that more mature perspective to put things in their proper place. Overall, I recommend this book.

Finished 12/16/17