Review by Kareka88 -- The Cult Next Door

This forum is for volunteer reviews by members of our review team. These reviews are done voluntarily by the reviewers and are published in this forum, separate from the official professional reviews. These reviews are kept separate primarily because the same book may be reviewed by many different reviewers.
Post Reply
User avatar
jamiu38
Posts: 1
Joined: 02 May 2018, 03:41
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 0

Re: Review by Kareka88 -- The Cult Next Door

Post by jamiu38 »

wow! what a sad story, issues of cult are prevalent in our society today, it's quite disheartening to find elizabeth in that kind of situation because friends like george can do alot of damages that clear enemies wouldn't even do.
User avatar
Addai Evans
Posts: 1
Joined: 25 Sep 2018, 09:35
Currently Reading: Apollo's Raven
Bookshelf Size: 4

Post by Addai Evans »

The cult next Door"
This story was written by Elizabeth R.Burchard and Judith L.Carlome.Her involved in a cult was led by her therapist George Sharkman and it took her from 1970s through 2008. Her father was a professor of psychology at temple university. The story talks about how people can be influence by leadership into what they were not willing to do.
Review by Addai Evans.
Kajori Sheryl Paul
Official Reviewer Representative
Posts: 3022
Joined: 10 Aug 2018, 15:10
Currently Reading: Noah's Quest
Bookshelf Size: 1342
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-kajori-sheryl-paul.html
Latest Review: Undefeated: A Novel by Gillie Basson

Post by Kajori Sheryl Paul »

It is truly courageous of the author to step forward and express her traumatic experience in a cult. This seems like a great book with some good life lessons.

Thank you for the great review.
Catherine Hsu
Posts: 346
Joined: 11 Aug 2016, 20:55
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 1344
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-psychopathycathy.html
Latest Review: Notes of Sorrow Songs Of Joy by Robert Lauri

Post by Catherine Hsu »

This isn't exactly my genre but it certainly sounds like a very interesting story, and the way the author addresses the "psychologically imprisoned" is something I'd love to read about. Congrats on BOTD.
Burgundy1991
Posts: 30
Joined: 18 Mar 2018, 18:10
Currently Reading: Poldark
Bookshelf Size: 30
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-burgundy1991.html
Latest Review: Randy Love...at your service by Shay Carter

Post by Burgundy1991 »

What a fascinating book! What is particularly powerful and unsettling is that the book isn't fiction: it's a true story! Thank goodness Elizabeth Burchard escaped from the cult. I hope this book spreads awareness of what cults can be like - not just long robes, chanting in unison, following orders, etc.
User avatar
Jejelomo
Posts: 3
Joined: 11 Aug 2018, 03:30
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 0
Reading Device: 1400697484

Post by Jejelomo »

The philosophy of this book Is beyond cult, but inline with leadership,trust and 'can do ability ' so I am adding this to my want to read list. It worth reading.
User avatar
jevvel
Posts: 39
Joined: 12 Jun 2018, 12:37
Currently Reading: Dyed Souls
Bookshelf Size: 36

Post by jevvel »

Some had said that this was a quite sad story, actually yes it is true and based on how i observed it. No one can escape in the cult, unless someone would find out your there.

Well that's the reason i'm quite really right now, I may have just read this short review though, that had been a big impact to the reader. Thanks for the review! :)
User avatar
NuelUkah
Posts: 420
Joined: 12 Jun 2018, 12:38
Favorite Book: Heaven and Earth
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 283
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-nuelukah.html
Latest Review: Dibs and Dabs of my Life by Gertrude Coulter

Post by NuelUkah »

Abuse is a very sensitive issue. Unfortunately, abusers often go free of punishment by the law. This book is a memoir of how the author went through sexual, emotional, spiritual, financial, and physical abuse that lasted for over two decades. One may ask, "why do girls keep going back to their abusers?" Abuse victims tend to suffer from 'stockholm syndrome'.
I recommend to anyone who has been through abuse.
If you are TOO BIG to DO SMALL things, then you are TOO SMALL to DO BIG things...

If you want to be remembered long after you are gone, WRITE books worth READING or DO things worth WRITING about...
User avatar
Cristina Chifane
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 2061
Joined: 07 Jan 2018, 03:51
Favorite Book: The Magic Mountain
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 898
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-cristina-chifane.html
Latest Review: The Fold by Dennis Lee
Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU

Post by Cristina Chifane »

The fact that an intelligent, cultivated girl like Elizabeth joined the cult is a proof of the power of the manipulatory techniques these cults use and their destructive effects on a person's individuality and rationality. To my surprise, Elizabeth's reminiscences of her abusive mother and her childhood made me curious to read more. The book does seem well-written and edited. Thanks for an interesting review!
"The madness of writing is the antidote to true madness." (Hanif Kureishi)
Latest Review: The Fold by Dennis Lee
User avatar
Ijeoma Kikelomo
Posts: 270
Joined: 19 Jul 2018, 14:08
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 26
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-ijeoma-kikelomo.html
Latest Review: Visions of Prosetry, Collector's Edition II by Vèè Nelly

Post by Ijeoma Kikelomo »

Cults are really damaging and getting out if one is not the easiest thing in the world. This book is definitely enlightening and it holds solid lessons.
User avatar
Nerea
Posts: 2942
Joined: 11 May 2018, 05:13
Favorite Author: William H. Coles
Favorite Book: Diamond and Pearls
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 776
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-nerea.html
Latest Review: Little White Lies by JC Anderson
Reading Device: Laptop
fav_author_id: 89641
Signature Addition: No Wahala

Post by Nerea »

The review is quite informative. Though am afraid I'll pass the book because it's too emotional and am sensitive to reading about abuse.
"Regular reading improves your grammar."
No Wahala
srensch1
Posts: 90
Joined: 22 Sep 2018, 18:04
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 33
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-srensch1.html
Latest Review: A Second, Less Capable Head by James Hanna

Post by srensch1 »

The sample reading grabbed me completely. I will have to read this one. Particularly, I want to see how Judy brought Elizabeth out of the spell.
User avatar
Bukari
Posts: 567
Joined: 04 Feb 2018, 15:59
Currently Reading: Everything Solid Has a Shadow
Bookshelf Size: 99
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-bukari.html
Latest Review: Days of the Giants by RJ Petrella

Post by Bukari »

Perhaps there is a sense of ambiguity as to whether the narrative would be thrilling for me or not. I found the abusive character by the charismatic leader to be frustrating to Elizabeth who needs various coping mechanisms to conquer this menace.
"Ever Tried. Ever Failed. No Matter. Try Again. Fail Again. Fail Better." - Samuel Beckett.
Justice of peace
Posts: 27
Joined: 22 Jul 2018, 07:27
Bookshelf Size: 0

Post by Justice of peace »

The book is very addictive when read as well as inspirational.
User avatar
amandathebibliophile
Posts: 588
Joined: 25 Feb 2018, 20:18
Currently Reading: The Fox
Bookshelf Size: 158
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-amandathebibliophile.html
Latest Review: Short of Love by Martin Knox

Post by amandathebibliophile »

I definitely enjoyed this book in terms of how well-written it is, but the content made it difficult at times. I felt really bad for Elizabeth and I learned a lot about the inter workings of cults in the process. So scary!
Post Reply

Return to “Volunteer Reviews”