Review by Irishmom -- The Cult Next Door
-
Irishmom
- Posts: 70
- Joined: 11 Feb 2018, 22:10
- Currently Reading: Heartaches 3
- Bookshelf Size: 28
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-irishmom.html
- Latest Review: The Lost Identity Casualties by Kim Ekemar
Review by Irishmom -- The Cult Next Door
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Cult Next Door" by Elizabeth R. Burchard, Judith L. Carlone.]
4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
This is a review of The Cult Next Door: A Manhattan Memoir, written by Elizabeth R. Burchard and Judith L. Carlone.
How does a cult leader draw people into his sphere of influence? Does he prey on the weak minded and the uninformed? What does the seduction look like? Those are questions answered in this book, through the very thorough and engaging story of a woman’s entrance into and withdrawal from a cult in New York in the latter part of the 21st century. Liz is a college graduate, valedictorian of her high school class; she grew up with educated parents of some financial means. This is not my idea of a cult follower. The book chronicles how this woman journeyed into the fringe culture of a New Age cult.
Elizabeth’s parents divorced when she was three years old, and her father, a positive presence in her life, died when she was eleven. Her mother, Rachael, developed mental problems that took the form of obsessions with various new ideas and gurus. Eventually, Elizabeth (known as Liz,) and her mother met George Sharkman, a biofeedback technician. Rachael and Liz took to his ideas, which had roots in biology and psychology, a sure buy-in for these educated women. The three began a group in their home and recruited friends to join.
Any misgivings about the cult were labeled by George as part of the process of letting go and breaking free of the unwritten rules of society. His teachings took the form of a series of revelations, one building on the next, fostering belief. George gained their trust and, eventually, physically and sexually abused the women in the group. Liz was at once bonded to her mother by their mutual group experiences and isolated from her by way of the secrets George insisted Liz keep.
George’s methods cost the group members dearly, devastating them financially. His behavior grew more and more bizarre, and included violent headshaking, dead animals, shoplifting, ill-advised business ventures, and strange trances. Liz began to feel physically ill when she came to the sessions, but she still joined in, paid the fees, and made an effort to do what George wanted. At every turn, Liz seems to reach out for success, and it is squashed by her inexplicable need for the approval of George and his circle.
The group tries to become more mainstream, even becoming involved with political campaigns, and Liz meets Judith Carlone, who becomes a key figure in getting her away from George. Judith sees Liz as a smart, sweet, and capable person, the way Liz doesn’t see herself. Judith’s friendship and loyalty are what Liz needs to regain her independence, resolve her issues with her mother, and make a new life for herself.
I was excited about this book, as cults are fascinating to me. I seek out podcasts and documentaries about cults and other fringe groups. Elizabeth Burchard is a gifted storyteller. Her descriptions of the people and settings are vivid and the main characters are well-developed. The stories of George’s acolytes are riveting and heartbreaking. The more fantastic and grotesque parts of the cult’s activities could be handled in a way that is exploitative, but Burchard does not write it in that manner. She clearly cares about the people in the group, even as she strives to leave them behind. Judith’s entry into Liz’s life and her efforts to get her out of the cult are accompanied by her own account of events, from her point of view, effectively intertwined with Liz’s chapters.
The one failing of this book, for me, is that Judith’s own background is touched on briefly but is not integrated well. I would like to know more about how her life and faith brought her such a strong desire to help Liz.
I give this book 4 out of 4 stars. I finished it quickly, and it challenged me with new questions even as it answered others. It was a book I had a hard time putting down. This book would be great for young adults and older; some of the sexual themes are inappropriate for children and teens. I would highly recommend the book to those interested in religion, psychology, or true crime. I enjoyed this book.
******
The Cult Next Door
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Irishmom's review? Post a comment saying so!
4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
This is a review of The Cult Next Door: A Manhattan Memoir, written by Elizabeth R. Burchard and Judith L. Carlone.
How does a cult leader draw people into his sphere of influence? Does he prey on the weak minded and the uninformed? What does the seduction look like? Those are questions answered in this book, through the very thorough and engaging story of a woman’s entrance into and withdrawal from a cult in New York in the latter part of the 21st century. Liz is a college graduate, valedictorian of her high school class; she grew up with educated parents of some financial means. This is not my idea of a cult follower. The book chronicles how this woman journeyed into the fringe culture of a New Age cult.
Elizabeth’s parents divorced when she was three years old, and her father, a positive presence in her life, died when she was eleven. Her mother, Rachael, developed mental problems that took the form of obsessions with various new ideas and gurus. Eventually, Elizabeth (known as Liz,) and her mother met George Sharkman, a biofeedback technician. Rachael and Liz took to his ideas, which had roots in biology and psychology, a sure buy-in for these educated women. The three began a group in their home and recruited friends to join.
Any misgivings about the cult were labeled by George as part of the process of letting go and breaking free of the unwritten rules of society. His teachings took the form of a series of revelations, one building on the next, fostering belief. George gained their trust and, eventually, physically and sexually abused the women in the group. Liz was at once bonded to her mother by their mutual group experiences and isolated from her by way of the secrets George insisted Liz keep.
George’s methods cost the group members dearly, devastating them financially. His behavior grew more and more bizarre, and included violent headshaking, dead animals, shoplifting, ill-advised business ventures, and strange trances. Liz began to feel physically ill when she came to the sessions, but she still joined in, paid the fees, and made an effort to do what George wanted. At every turn, Liz seems to reach out for success, and it is squashed by her inexplicable need for the approval of George and his circle.
The group tries to become more mainstream, even becoming involved with political campaigns, and Liz meets Judith Carlone, who becomes a key figure in getting her away from George. Judith sees Liz as a smart, sweet, and capable person, the way Liz doesn’t see herself. Judith’s friendship and loyalty are what Liz needs to regain her independence, resolve her issues with her mother, and make a new life for herself.
I was excited about this book, as cults are fascinating to me. I seek out podcasts and documentaries about cults and other fringe groups. Elizabeth Burchard is a gifted storyteller. Her descriptions of the people and settings are vivid and the main characters are well-developed. The stories of George’s acolytes are riveting and heartbreaking. The more fantastic and grotesque parts of the cult’s activities could be handled in a way that is exploitative, but Burchard does not write it in that manner. She clearly cares about the people in the group, even as she strives to leave them behind. Judith’s entry into Liz’s life and her efforts to get her out of the cult are accompanied by her own account of events, from her point of view, effectively intertwined with Liz’s chapters.
The one failing of this book, for me, is that Judith’s own background is touched on briefly but is not integrated well. I would like to know more about how her life and faith brought her such a strong desire to help Liz.
I give this book 4 out of 4 stars. I finished it quickly, and it challenged me with new questions even as it answered others. It was a book I had a hard time putting down. This book would be great for young adults and older; some of the sexual themes are inappropriate for children and teens. I would highly recommend the book to those interested in religion, psychology, or true crime. I enjoyed this book.
******
The Cult Next Door
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Irishmom's review? Post a comment saying so!
"Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read. "~Groucho Marx
Latest Review: The Lost Identity Casualties by Kim Ekemar
