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Reviews
Beyond Belief: My Secret Life Inside Scientology and My Harrowing Escape by Jenna Miscavige Hill
thebadwitch's review against another edition
1.0
needed a better ghost writer. I don't doubt that Scientology is awful but this book is so boring I can't even finish it.
hanna7's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.25
I didn't know much about Scientology going into this book and was courious.
The life story of Jenna screamed abuse from the very beginning. Seperating children from their parents at such a joung age, making them raise themselfs is unacceptable. Everything going on, her being moved so often, isolated and not understanding any of it was heartbreaking. I had to stop several times to remind myself how young she was.
This is another example for people in power using that power to make others miserable for their own twisted gain. I'm happy for everyone who got out and I with them healing.
The life story of Jenna screamed abuse from the very beginning. Seperating children from their parents at such a joung age, making them raise themselfs is unacceptable. Everything going on, her being moved so often, isolated and not understanding any of it was heartbreaking. I had to stop several times to remind myself how young she was.
This is another example for people in power using that power to make others miserable for their own twisted gain. I'm happy for everyone who got out and I with them healing.
marttahp's review against another edition
3.0
Of all the crazy cults in the world, Scientology must be the most boring one. So it can't be easy to write anything but a boring story about them. Still, I gave this book an extra star thanks to the nice pro-skepticism message toward the end.
jeannepathfinder's review against another edition
4.0
Jaw-dropping details of life growing up in Scientology. This is not celebrity Scientology. These are the children in forced labor camps separated from their parents. These are the adolescents subjected to daily interrogations and psychological punishments. It is unbelievable that this inhumane treatment is allowed to continue in this day and age.
abby314159's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
Well written first-person account of scientology that gives some insight into the experiences of those in David Miscavige's (evil) orbit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Religious bigotry, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Confinement, Stalking, Suicide attempt, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Cursing, Death, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Violence, Trafficking, Grief, and Abortion
emcdonough's review against another edition
4.0
Beyond Belief by Jenna Miscavige Hill gives in insight to Scientology that you can't really get anywhere else. As the niece of the 'leader' of the church, she outlined her experience in a way that really highlighted Scientology and their values. Which, of course, is not the humans that give their all to this 'religion'. This novel is heartbreaking, eye-opening, and was fascinating to delve into. I listened to this audiobook on Spotify.
oddlydrawncristi's review against another edition
3.0
I was bored often in this book. I didn't want anything to be exaggerated or anything like that...but I just felt like someone helping Jenna write this book would have made it more palatable. Things were repeated so often I was thinking didn't I just read that three paragraphs ago? Also I saw a review that commented that she didn't have a "harrowing" escape as she was basically booted out and given a flight to her new home. I am definitely not downplaying what she sent through at All.
anitamarie's review against another edition
4.0
Eye opening about the childhood of Sea org members within Scientology. A bit confusing at times Only because so much seem to be going on , I was trying to keep track of everyone. I watched a couple documentaries but Scientology so this just added more information . Jenna pointed out that if you are born and raised in to Scientology most people don’t even understand that this is not normal.