Review of The Cult Next Door
Posted: 12 Nov 2021, 17:04
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Cult Next Door" by Elizabeth R. Burchard, Judith L. Carlone.]
The Cult Next Door: A Manhattan Memoir by Elizabeth R. Burchard, LSW and Judith L. Carlone tells the true story of Elizabeth’s involvement in a cult. The book is set in America and spans the years 1971 to 2008.
When her parents’ divorce, three-year-old Elizabeth (Liz) moves across town with her mother Rachel. Rachel soon starts to display irrational behavior and becomes emotionally and physically abusive towards Liz. As Liz’s confidence and self-worth wanes, she lives for the weekends spent with her beloved father. Shortly before her 12th birthday Liz’s father dies.
Rachel spends several years slavishly following the teachings of a few questionable nutrition gurus, spending thousands of dollars in the process. Ultimately, Rachel encounters George Sharkman operating as a licensed biofeedback technician in the offices of a stress reduction specialist. George quickly manipulates Liz and Rachel, the latter buying into his Energy teachings to control themselves and the world. The trio form a group which expands to include several other women and two men who each pay increasing amounts of money to attend multiple sessions per week with George. Liz has doubts about George’s teachings and his behavior but she pushes those aside as she yearns for the acceptance and sense of belonging she never felt as a child. Liz’s life changes after she meets Judith, and their friendship grows.
Although a true story, the book reads like a page turning novel and gives great insight into how a person can be drawn into a situation against their better judgement and be manipulated to believe that their very purpose in life is to remain in that situation. I enjoyed the author’s style of writing as she paints compelling and vivid imageries of the people and situations she encountered. Whether it's a description of cult rituals or her own feelings the author comes across as credible. It is evident that the author poured her heart and soul into this book and did not shy away from those experiences that would leave outsiders wondering “how could you go along with that?” The darker scenes of sexual, physical and psychological manipulation were handled in a non-graphic and non-gratuitous manner. No instances of vulgarity or profanity were noted.
The book consists of many small chapters, chronologically titled. In the latter stages there appeared to be repetitiveness as some chapters were re-told from Judith’s perspective. Whist initially this was a bit disarming to me as the reader I quickly realized this was a highly effective way of adding another layer to Liz’s story.
I found no errors in the book. I give the book 4 out of 4 stars as I found nothing to dislike about it and its imprint has stayed with me long after turning the final page. Indeed, I believe I have referred to its lessons subconsciously when confronted with my own “peer acceptance vs self-preservation” scenarios.
I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in a play-by-play of how a person can unwittingly fall into the clutches of a cult-like figure and the strength and determination it takes to exit.
******
The Cult Next Door
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The Cult Next Door: A Manhattan Memoir by Elizabeth R. Burchard, LSW and Judith L. Carlone tells the true story of Elizabeth’s involvement in a cult. The book is set in America and spans the years 1971 to 2008.
When her parents’ divorce, three-year-old Elizabeth (Liz) moves across town with her mother Rachel. Rachel soon starts to display irrational behavior and becomes emotionally and physically abusive towards Liz. As Liz’s confidence and self-worth wanes, she lives for the weekends spent with her beloved father. Shortly before her 12th birthday Liz’s father dies.
Rachel spends several years slavishly following the teachings of a few questionable nutrition gurus, spending thousands of dollars in the process. Ultimately, Rachel encounters George Sharkman operating as a licensed biofeedback technician in the offices of a stress reduction specialist. George quickly manipulates Liz and Rachel, the latter buying into his Energy teachings to control themselves and the world. The trio form a group which expands to include several other women and two men who each pay increasing amounts of money to attend multiple sessions per week with George. Liz has doubts about George’s teachings and his behavior but she pushes those aside as she yearns for the acceptance and sense of belonging she never felt as a child. Liz’s life changes after she meets Judith, and their friendship grows.
Although a true story, the book reads like a page turning novel and gives great insight into how a person can be drawn into a situation against their better judgement and be manipulated to believe that their very purpose in life is to remain in that situation. I enjoyed the author’s style of writing as she paints compelling and vivid imageries of the people and situations she encountered. Whether it's a description of cult rituals or her own feelings the author comes across as credible. It is evident that the author poured her heart and soul into this book and did not shy away from those experiences that would leave outsiders wondering “how could you go along with that?” The darker scenes of sexual, physical and psychological manipulation were handled in a non-graphic and non-gratuitous manner. No instances of vulgarity or profanity were noted.
The book consists of many small chapters, chronologically titled. In the latter stages there appeared to be repetitiveness as some chapters were re-told from Judith’s perspective. Whist initially this was a bit disarming to me as the reader I quickly realized this was a highly effective way of adding another layer to Liz’s story.
I found no errors in the book. I give the book 4 out of 4 stars as I found nothing to dislike about it and its imprint has stayed with me long after turning the final page. Indeed, I believe I have referred to its lessons subconsciously when confronted with my own “peer acceptance vs self-preservation” scenarios.
I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in a play-by-play of how a person can unwittingly fall into the clutches of a cult-like figure and the strength and determination it takes to exit.
******
The Cult Next Door
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon