What do you think?
Rate this book
Blown
At the tender ages of only three and five, sisters Amory and Riley are abandoned by their mother at the Church of Scientology in Hollywood, California.
For sixteen long years Amory does what she’s told, following Church rules and regulations about every aspect of her life. Yet, while working in the Sea Org—the Church’s administrative organization comprised of the most dedicated members—Amory experiences for the first time a stirring yearning for freedom unlike anything she’s ever known.
When Riley admits that she’s pregnant, Amory knows she must do something and swallows a handful of pills in a desperate attempt to escape. When she wakes up, the Church places her in a strict ethics “rehabilitation” program that isolates her from family and friends.
As Amory becomes more convinced of her need to leave the Church, she struggles to disconnect from those around her and free herself from the ties that hold her to the only home she has.
Will Amory find the courage she needs to escape the manipulation and controlling demands of the only world she’s ever known?
Based on true-life events, Blown represents the first novel depicting life inside the repressive confines of the Church of Scientology.
For sixteen long years Amory does what she’s told, following Church rules and regulations about every aspect of her life. Yet, while working in the Sea Org—the Church’s administrative organization comprised of the most dedicated members—Amory experiences for the first time a stirring yearning for freedom unlike anything she’s ever known.
When Riley admits that she’s pregnant, Amory knows she must do something and swallows a handful of pills in a desperate attempt to escape. When she wakes up, the Church places her in a strict ethics “rehabilitation” program that isolates her from family and friends.
As Amory becomes more convinced of her need to leave the Church, she struggles to disconnect from those around her and free herself from the ties that hold her to the only home she has.
Will Amory find the courage she needs to escape the manipulation and controlling demands of the only world she’s ever known?
Based on true-life events, Blown represents the first novel depicting life inside the repressive confines of the Church of Scientology.
348 pages, Paperback
Published May 1, 2016
49 people are currently reading
265 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 7, 2017
Couldn't put it down
This story of a young woman's life in Scientology from the age of 3 until at 20 she wanted to leave with honor. What she went through in attempting to do what is necessary to have the groups permission to go, is heartbreaking. The story is great, although the many typos sometimes got in the way. Still I couldn't put it down. Well worth reading. I will be looking for more novels by Ms Burroughs.
This story of a young woman's life in Scientology from the age of 3 until at 20 she wanted to leave with honor. What she went through in attempting to do what is necessary to have the groups permission to go, is heartbreaking. The story is great, although the many typos sometimes got in the way. Still I couldn't put it down. Well worth reading. I will be looking for more novels by Ms Burroughs.
September 26, 2017
**I received this books as part of a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.**
I enjoyed this book. A lot of the information in it was not new to me after reading Lisa Remini's book, so I understood what the author was talking about. I'm not religious, nor am I a big fan of what organized religion has done to the world at large (JUST MY OPINION), but Scientology is a scary entity to me. I think this book was very well written, and I enjoyed reading it.
I enjoyed this book. A lot of the information in it was not new to me after reading Lisa Remini's book, so I understood what the author was talking about. I'm not religious, nor am I a big fan of what organized religion has done to the world at large (JUST MY OPINION), but Scientology is a scary entity to me. I think this book was very well written, and I enjoyed reading it.
June 9, 2017
Gripping
The story is gripping and compelling. No question, an accurate depiction of life inside The Org, and a side of L.R. Hubbard's insane world. There are so many typos and grammatical errors (whale used for wail) that it becomes distracting. Acceptable from the woman raised inside a cult, but surprising from an author who teaches English and writing. What happened?
The story is gripping and compelling. No question, an accurate depiction of life inside The Org, and a side of L.R. Hubbard's insane world. There are so many typos and grammatical errors (whale used for wail) that it becomes distracting. Acceptable from the woman raised inside a cult, but surprising from an author who teaches English and writing. What happened?
October 26, 2017
This book is not written by a former Scientologist and gets a lot of things wrong. Add to that a weird sibling rivalry, poor editing and storytelling- I recommend passing on this one and instead reading a book by someone who has actually been there. It seemed to be an amalgam of real stories the author researched, but didn't fully understand.
October 17, 2017
Interesting peek into the lives of Sea Org members- the timeline skips back and forth between chapters to relevant memories after the main character and her sister were surrendered into Sea Org as children. I might have liked this story better if it was chronologically structured.
August 29, 2017
I received a copy of this from Goodreads Giveaways. Knowing little about Scientology I was "Blown" away. The writing a bit dry, but the story fascinating. 3.5 stars.
June 3, 2017
This book is abouy the church of Scientology. Don't even like using the word church with this cult. Is a sect of mind control and deception. Many of the statements in this book are taken from L Ron Hubbard's handbook. Their tactics are exposed in this reading and should inform those taken in by this guy's beliefs. They need to be exposed and criminal charges brought. Then again we all have the freedom to choose. Almighty God gives us that freedom every day. Beware my friends of what you choose. Thanks toGoodreads.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews