Scarred

By Sarah Edmondson

Scarred - Sarah Edmondson
  • Release Date: 2019-09-17
  • Genre: Biographies & Memoirs
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 123 Ratings

Description

As seen in the HBO docuseries THE VOW: The shocking and subversive memoir of a 12-year-NXIVM-member-turned-whistleblower, and her inspiring true story of abuse, escape, and redemption.

"'Master, would you brand me? It would be an honor.'
From the second I climb onto the table, acutely aware that I am lying in the sweat of my sisters, I will have blocked that out. Lying there completely naked, I am at my most vulnerable but determined to prove my strength. I try to keep my legs closed as my body wills itself to protect my most private area. . . . I tell myself: I am a warrior. I birthed a human. I can handle pain. But nothing could have ever prepared me for the feel of this fire on my skin."

Scarred is Sarah Edmondson's compelling memoir of her recruitment into the NXIVM cult, the 12 years she spent within the organization (during which she enrolled over 2,000 members and entered DOS—NXIVM's "secret sisterhood"), her breaking point, and her harrowing fight to get out, to expose Keith Raniere and the leadership, to help others, and to heal. Complete with personal photographs, Scarred is also an eye-opening story about abuses of power, female trust and friendship, and how sometimes the search to be "better" can override everything else.

• In the tradition of Unorthodox by Deborah Feldman, Escape by Carolyn Jessop, and Troublemaker by Leah Remini
• This tell-all follows Sarah from the moment she takes her first NXIVM seminar, to the invitation she accepts from her best friend, Lauren Salzman, into DOS, to her journey toward become a key witness in the federal case against its founders
• Evokes questions about friendship, ethics, good and evil, making it a brilliant selection for book clubs

Audio edition read by the author.

Reviews

  • Gripping

    5
    By Mark44120
    This well written and brutally honest story of Sarah’s descent into a dark cult and then her escape is well worth the read. While a gripping tale, it is also tragic. My heart goes out to everyone brutalized by Keith Raniere and NXIVM.
  • Narcissistic and not too bright

    1
    By Elizabeth Jane
    She has really milked this “branding” thing far. She’s not a good writer and not wise or honest enough to really tell it like it is. She was part of this cult and not the victim She claims to be.
  • Astounding!

    5
    By TheAzoreanOne
    From full-fledged NXIVM member to determined whistleblower, Sarah’s survivor tale is one of pain, deceit, and eventual retribution. Paired perfectly with the HBO docuseries “The Vow,” Scarred is a well-crafted, firsthand account of one woman’s experience in a 21st century cult. This is a must-read!
  • Do it

    4
    By RoseReading
    Very honest, a little slow at first but I think that was deliberate. Over all a good book and a horrible experience. The author took a lot of time making sure you understand how she got from point a to point b and that was eye opening! Worth the read for sure.
  • Loved it

    5
    By cline146
    I loved this book! It was good to really get more in depth with Sarah’s perspective with the things going on. I definitely will read again.