Scarred: The True Story of How I Escaped NXIVM, the Cult that Bound My Life

Written by:
Sarah Edmondson
Narrated by:
Sarah Edmondson

Unabridged Audiobook

Ratings
Book
24
Narrator
10
Release Date
September 2019
Duration
7 hours 43 minutes
Summary
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.'Scarred follows actress Sarah Edmondson's account of her recruitment into the NXIVM cult, founded by Keith Raniere. It narrates in detail the 12 years she spent within the organization, during which she enrolled over 2,000 members, chronicling her breaking point and her harrowing fight to get out, help others, and heal.

• Complete with personal photographs, 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—a 'secret sisterhood' within the cult—to her journey toward becoming a key witness in the federal case against its founders.
• Readers will learn how cults like NXIVM get started, why people get involved (and stay), and the importance of whistleblowers who bring light to illegal and unethical practices.
• Sarah Edmondson is a Canadian actress and playwright who has starred in the CBS series Salvation and more than 12 films for the Hallmark Channel and Lifetime. She is featured in the CBC podcast Uncover: Escaping NXIVM and The Vow, the upcoming HBO documentary series on NXIVM.

Scarred isn't just about NXIVM. It is also a story about abuses of power, the role female friendships play in cults, and how sometimes the search to be 'better' can override everything else.

• A thrilling read for fans of true crime and cults, as well as listeners of podcasts like My Favorite Murder and Up and Vanished.
• Great for fans of Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology by Leah Remini, Escape by Carolyn Jessop, Beyond Belief by Jenna Miscavige Hill, and Bad Blood by John Carreyrou.
• Evokes questions about friendship, ethics, good and evil, making it a perfect selection for book clubs.

Audio edition read by the author.
Reviews
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Michael L.

Could not stop listening

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Anonymous

Wow! I cant get over these stories. she lost 10 years of a normal life. its just so sad and so compelling. unbelievable. so glad justice is being served. very happy for her now, nice husband, sweet kids. thank goodness for them.

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Veronica Noren Warren

I have been riveted by Sarah's story ever since the NY Times article came out. Watched both seasons of The Vow. I felt strongly that I wanted to hear just Sarah's journey and this book did not disappoint. The courage it took to take on this group had to of been daunting. Clearly, it was and that's why I plowed through this in a couple of sittings. Riveting and inspiring.

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Tracey

, I’m only half way though the book, I’ve given up and moved onto other books.

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Silke K.

Superb. a fascinating and clear insight into how cults override a person's natural intuition. Very gripping.

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Elizabeth M.

Dear Word! Vanguard's ex, said it best, DOS was a way to keep anyone else from defecting. bIt was the ramping up of collateral. After twelve years this happens, I can understand it being hard to leave. It was not really made clear what makes her stay. She was not in the community and had her husband. After "Going Clear" came out, that should have clued them in. It was so similar to Sceintology and est. just a RIP off. but I remember seeing those commercials with Eddie Albert for computer byline(?) funny, not so much.

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