Scarred: The True Story of How I Escaped NXIVM, the Cult That Bound My Life, by Sarah Edmondson: 3 Stars

[Joi]

Ok, I'm currently semi-obsessed with the recently downfallen cult- NXIVM. HBO's 'The Vow' chronicled this author's story, as well as a CBC Podcast. Couple those with Sarah's story with the other NXIVM content- 'Seduced', plus another podcast, and I had ran out of content. Cue this book. Now, I thought I knew everything about NXIVM on the outside- but this gave the nitty gritty of how the "success program" turned sex-trafficking, human trafficking, racketeering cult worked, and how it became what it became.

Sarah Edmonson tells her side of the NXIVM story- how she entered the group as a wide-eyed young actress looking for personal skills to lead a fulfilling life. She quickly gained traction in the group, going up the ladder, becoming a coach, and then slowly became indoctrinated enough into the group to where years later- she thought getting a brand of "the four elements" (which was really the cult leaders initials) was a sign of sisterhood and loyelty, instead of a cauterizing pen in her flesh meaning permeant recognition of being a literal slave in a cult.

Now firstly- this book is DRY. I would not suggest this as a started into the NXIVM story. This was the details for all the NXIVM nerds out there. Also, as a memoir, it definitely felt defensive in tone. Like the author is justifying her actions, and explaining herself- so other's don't blame her for bringing others into danger via the cult. She is clearly an intelligent woman, ultimately a victim in a very complicated web of lies, and it was extremely brave to whistleblower on the organization, but it definitely felt like she was trying to push the guilt down and the defer blame away from herself. The story is more complicated than that, I guess one person's memoir would never be able to show that complexity.

[Joanne]

First off, Great review-

Second-this is what I love about this group, I have never heard of this cult! I won't read the book, but I may go down a rabbit on internet-LoL

[Meli]

I got deep into this cult story as well and watched the 2 documentary series you mentioned.

Wild shit!

[Joi]

The wiki page for NXIVM is fascinating in itself.
If anyone is curious, the leader recently got 120 years in jail- so that's a nice closure.

@Meli, have you heard of 'Landmark Forum' it's seems pretty similar to Nxivm, but is "not a cult"- although that is def what a cult would say, lol.