This has been floating around the litblogosphere for a few days, but I've been so obsessed with layoffs I haven't paid much attention. Now I finally see that attention must be paid:

Tom Cruise is denying that he pressured Amazon to stop selling a book critical of the Church of Scientology.

On Oct. 31, Irish publisher Merlin released “The Complex,” in which John Duignan, identified as “a former high-ranking member” of the church in Britain, describes his “dramatic escape” from its “elite para-military group,” the Sea Organization. Five days later, Cruise dropped by Amazon’s Seattle headquarters to glad-hand staffers and host a sneak peek at his new movie, “Valkyrie.”

A few days later, Amazon’s British Web site stopped selling “The Complex,” explaining to customers that someone mentioned in the book had alleged it defamed him with “false claims.”

Tom Cruise or not, Scientology apparently has yet to learn: If to try to ban a book, it makes more people want to read the book. I will try to get my hands on a copy of The Complex soon, and I'll report back to you.