One of the harder books I've reviewed here and is one of the few cases where I wish GR had half stars. I feel wildly torn on "Going Clear" for two simOne of the harder books I've reviewed here and is one of the few cases where I wish GR had half stars. I feel wildly torn on "Going Clear" for two simple reasons. For starters, the book is a narrative mess. It is not told in a linear, or sometimes, even understandable, order. The book jumps around wildly throwing out names of people who, until that point had not been heard of, only to elaborate on them further down the line. A story of a Scientologist "blowing" was inexplicably broken up by a breakdown of the meal preferences and day-to-day schedule of the Church's current leader, David Miscavige. The book reads almost like a checklist rather than a fluid narrative, checking off topics surrounding Scientology rather than actually telling it in a typically linear fashion.
But... and this is a big but, it actually kind of gave me something to think on. It challenged how I viewed Scientology and questioned why it is the scapegoat of constant religious persecution when others are not. I am not a Scientology hater like most of the internet is, but I do not support it either. Like Wright alludes to, I view them the same as any Mormon or Amish community. I have a sudden... what's the word? Not appreciation, because that sounds like I appreciate the movement. Maybe a changed opinion? I suddenly don't see Scientology as a complete whack-o group. It's full of misgivings, maybe even crime. And is full to the brim of narcissists. But if the "religion" works for them, why shouldn't they have the ability to practice it freely? What religion doesn't have its own set of strange, nearly incomprehensible factors of belief? Is it because it is easily disproven? If that's so, isn't every religion easily disproven? Isn't that why it's called faith?
I feel so entirely different about the concept of Scientology than when I started this book. I just wish the narrative had flowed better and that the actual storytelling was more succinct. There's an incredible book here, but it just has to be found. ...more
In-depth almost to the point of being exhaustive, "American Prometheus" is a heartbreaking tale. The research and introspection of an incredibly uniquIn-depth almost to the point of being exhaustive, "American Prometheus" is a heartbreaking tale. The research and introspection of an incredibly unique and individualistic man that is also controversial and downright strange is moving at parts, rage-inducing at parts, and tedious at points. I enjoyed it, but had to take several breaks from it just to reshape my attention to fully appreciate what was being said. ...more
It's an interesting enough look into a mother's ability, or inability, to process trauma, grief, sadness, and heartbreak while also being born into thIt's an interesting enough look into a mother's ability, or inability, to process trauma, grief, sadness, and heartbreak while also being born into the shadow of a pop culture icon. But beyond the salacious bits of her and Ben's deaths, I feel like an exorbitant chunk of information is missing. Many times, Lisa Marie is described as having been "used" by the music industry, or "due to her history in music, she feared and loathed it." Or something to that affect. But it's never expressly stated what happened. Or why. It feels like the majority of her adult life was skimmed over, and that there are definitive moments lost. ...more
I can't extrapolate on anything that hasn't been said about "Blood Meridian" already. It is hauntingly beautiful. I can't extrapolate on anything that hasn't been said about "Blood Meridian" already. It is hauntingly beautiful. ...more
The first book I have ever read that made me physically uncomfortable. I've read more disgusting books, but this one just hit a little harder. The vivThe first book I have ever read that made me physically uncomfortable. I've read more disgusting books, but this one just hit a little harder. The vivid details, the cruelty, the outright indifference described towards human life. It all just made this one hard to read at points. But I suppose that that's the point, and being the first true true crime novel, it is set apart as unencumbered by predecessors. It stands alone, imperfections and all. ...more
Kind of hot and cold on this one. Narratively, this is an extremely interesting book and presents some truly thought-provoking and theories about a toKind of hot and cold on this one. Narratively, this is an extremely interesting book and presents some truly thought-provoking and theories about a topic that has been majorly written off by a more indifferent media. Challenging the theory that Elvis' death was only partially attributed to prescription drug addiction may seem like fan-crazed idea without any merit, but there are some interesting asides that support every argument presented by Hoedel. I've read my fair share of Elvis-related literature and I found this fascinating.
However, the audiobook presentation is absolutely tortuous. The author does all of her audio, seemingly from her car and on an iPhone. The quality is of the roaming phone call variety, there's stutters, background noises, etc. It's like a nine hour conversation over the phone that drove me absolutely up the wall. ...more
Excellent perspective into an event that's as timely in today's culture as it was nearly three decades ago. Draws a strong eye towards unchecked aggreExcellent perspective into an event that's as timely in today's culture as it was nearly three decades ago. Draws a strong eye towards unchecked aggression in the current news media, and empathizes with the people who are haplessly caught in the flurry of news through no fault of their own. Some names start to run together, but the book does a great job characterizing its key players and indulging information on the most pertinent parts of its story. I loved it....more
Actually really liked this. It's absolutely putrid at points, but it is wildly effective at conveying the psychological hurdles of entrapment, tortureActually really liked this. It's absolutely putrid at points, but it is wildly effective at conveying the psychological hurdles of entrapment, torture, rape, death, and childish ambivalence to it all. The book isn't misogynistic. It is a tale of rapid self-deprecation from a woman's point of view and the effects of being taken against her will have on her ego and her mental framework. It's a hard read and extremely graphic at points, but it's also extremely powerful and scary in a way few books are able to achieve. ...more
As narcissistic a book as there has ever been written. Feels like Kingsolver think she's writing the next American classic, but feels like a rudimentaAs narcissistic a book as there has ever been written. Feels like Kingsolver think she's writing the next American classic, but feels like a rudimentary take on "David Copperfield" that is intermittently engaging, but never as clever or as interesting as it thinks it is. It also heavy-handedly reinforces the time period it is set, constantly name-dropping early 00's celebrities and events to make sure EVERYONE is in on the time period that the book is set, constantly reminding everyone of the 2000's era. The book is also overly long and has an enormous cast of characters that are well-defined but can easily get lost in the shuffle of all the moving parts of the story. It's fine enough, but I never felt fully engaged or engulfed by the story and found myself more bored with it all rather than being enamored. It always feels like the story is about to take that big narrative leap, or hit that next narrative gear, but it never happens. It never REALLY hits that crescendo that is constantly built up. ...more
A salacious heaping of personal dirt disguised as a "romantic retelling."A salacious heaping of personal dirt disguised as a "romantic retelling."...more
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