Review by Kareka88 -- The Cult Next Door

jemgirl202 · Post by **jemgirl202** » 30 Oct 2018, 10:25

Wow! I added this book to my TBR pile. This memoir that describes what is like in a cult sounds absolutely terrifying, but also educational as it details how people can be convinced to join. Congrats on the book of the day! Great review!

virgino · Post by **virgino** » 30 Oct 2018, 10:33

Wow! What a book? I like to recommend it to the people who may have one favour or another to ask from some influencial members of the society; when the favour seekers read this book, they may discover that all that gliters is not gold.Some may have underlying motive for the favours they grant.

Mary WhiteFace · Post by **Mary WhiteFace** » 30 Oct 2018, 10:35

Even though I found the sample well written, and I enjoyed the authors' writing style, I won't be able to read this book. Knowing that it is a true story and as you revealed that it includes so much abuse, it would be a difficult read for me. You did a great job on the review.

Post by **Radiant3** » 30 Oct 2018, 10:41

Thorough review. The storyline seems very interesting. This book can probably provide an insight as to how someone can read the warning signs of manipulation and avoid falling victim to it.

lavellan · Post by **lavellan** » 30 Oct 2018, 10:52

Thanks for your review! I always it scary how easily one can find themselves under the control of a charismatic figure. I am happy that Elizabeth was able to break free with the help of Judith. It's especially sad that Elizabeth's own mother was the one who was encouraging George's control over her. I'm interested in following Elizabeth's harrowing journey over her life from childhood to adulthood.

Debjani Ghosh · Post by **Debjani Ghosh** » 30 Oct 2018, 11:02

This book relays the authors' experience with an influential but abusive cult leader and her subsequent release from the claws of this man. As such, the book cover is thought-provoking. It shows the shadow of a person against an open door - whether the girl is on the cusp of getting into a room (that is, Elizabeth being lured by her charming therapist into an abusive cult) or trying to get out of a room (that is, Elizabeth trying to detach herself from the cult). Thanks for the review!

Amanda Deck · Post by **Amanda Deck** » 30 Oct 2018, 11:06

This:

Even though many times Elizabeth knows in her mind the things George is saying or doing are not right, she still not only goes along with it, but gets her friends involved as well.

and the part in the summary saying the cult members were taught that normal ideas and beliefs are outmoded make me think this can be applicable to much more than cults. Families, churches, social clubs, school, society... I want to read this.

Cecilia_L · Post by **Cecilia_L** » 30 Oct 2018, 11:10

Even though many times Elizabeth knows in her mind the things George is saying or doing are not right, she still not only goes along with it, but gets her friends involved as well. The systematic abuse continues for many years, and then one day when she is in her 30's she meets Judith. Judith begins telling her the things George is doing are wrong even though she has been telling herself the same things all along. With Judith's help and encouragement she is finally able to admit it and take the action needed to detach from George and his cult for good.

Books about cults of any type fascinate me. I just downloaded it and can't wait to read it. Thanks for your excellent review!

Britty01 · Post by **Britty01** » 30 Oct 2018, 11:17

The book The Cult Next Door: A Manhattan Memoir in its early pages describes the myths surrounding cults. It goes on to explain how, through her mother, the author became involved with a cult. From what I have read so far, Elizabeth suffered abuse from her mother and then with George, a technician at a Doctor’s office her mother frequented. It was many years before Elizabeth was able to find her way out of this cult with the help of a friend, Judith, who had the patience and persistence to aid the author in leaving the cult. The author’s story should help the reader understand how vulnerable people, including the very young, can be fooled into a cult and why it is so difficult to escape once ensnared.

Sonya Nicolaidis · Post by **Sonya Nicolaidis** » 30 Oct 2018, 11:21

Great review about a topic that's not too far off from us, even these days. I enjoyed reading this summary and hope there's a "Judith" out there for everyone who has fallen prey to this type of manipulation. Many thanks!

María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda · 30 Oct 2018, 11:26

This is a very interesting and meaningful book. You make an excellent point that when we think of cults and cult leaders we tend to think about pseudo religious groups, but that’s not always the case and we should all be aware of that.
The influence and importance of family, as you also mention, is fundamental in preventing that people fall prey of this manipulators.
I’m really glad that Elizabeth managed to get out and share her experience.
Great review, thanks.

HollandBlue · Post by **HollandBlue** » 30 Oct 2018, 11:33

Being lured into a cult is a very scary thing. I admire the author's strength and resolve to break free. This type of book isn't for me though. Nice review!

desantismt_17 · Post by **desantismt_17** » 30 Oct 2018, 11:46

This fascinates me in a "never want to experience but am interested to read about it" way. Sounds like the stuff of fantasy novels, but it's not. Thanks for the review.

1414kings · Post by **1414kings** » 30 Oct 2018, 11:47

A true life story of the author, Elizabeth Burchard, graduate of Swarthmore and a resound business woman.

She was with an ailment, hence, fall victim to the prank of a professional cult group led by George Sharkman with his antics to manipulate and change rational thinkers to irrational thinkers.

The story has showcase how bad cult can be and it is not meant for rational human.

It went further to demonstrate the story in three different ways.
1) Why did people choose to be involved in cultish?

People choose to involve in cult so that they could feel they belong to an influenced group in the society. They joined cult to seek for help, which in return, they may not get.

2) Deficiency of a cult member:

They are always seekers, because they don't have the mind of their own. They need someone to give them directions. They always have less wisdom, they don't have Sense. Their sense of thinking would have been destroyed by their boss antics.

3) You can be free from cult:

Elizabeth Burchard got off the hook of cult through the help of Judy Carlone display of love, which can also be applied to anyone found in the dungeon of cultish. Anyone in cult can out of it through a guidance counselling of a rational thinker like Judy. Caroline.

We are to come closer to them, showing them love, care and passionate guide, letting them know the consequences and the disadvantages in the cult doctrine.

Sincerely, the author has demonstrated heart of sincerity in putting up the story. I here by recommend this book to the public. With every confidence in me I give my rating of 4 to 4 rating for this book.

Thanks
Kingsley B

evan1995muniz · Post by **evan1995muniz** » 30 Oct 2018, 11:50

While this is certinatly an interesting book, it is not my type of read. I never liked the idea of any kind of cult or things along that line. Thanks for the review. I do not think i will be reading this book.