Review by Av1d-Reader -- The Cult Next Door
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Av1d-Reader
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- Latest Review: The Cult Next Door by Elizabeth R. Burchard, Judith L. Carlone
Review by Av1d-Reader -- 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
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The Cult Next Door is author Elizabeth R. Burchard’s account of her time in a "new age" cult in New York. She was involved from the late 1970s until the 1990s. Her mother was involved too. The book describes how she became interested, the cult "leader" George Sharkman, how other people joined, and what activities they took part in together. The members paid large proportions of their income to the leader, who claimed that he was receiving energy when he shook his head, which could be imparted to those around him. He attempted to change their perceptions of the world and to detach from other people. He charged large sums of money for his time. Sexual activity and political activism is also described. I wasn't able to find out much about the cult from a quick investigation on the internet, however.
The book does explore some of the reasons why she became involved, even though she felt huge misgivings at the time. I would have been interested to hear more about this, the author's own analysis of what kept her in this cult and the psychological mechanisms involved.
The author eventually develops a more conventional Christian faith. She doesn't interpret her previous experience through this lens however. It is usually left to the reader's imagination as to whether some of the phenomena were a result of mass delusion or whether the author believes that there was something supernatural happening.
Some chapters are written by Judith L. Carlone, a friend of the author who helped her to leave the cult. Though her contributions were interesting, I was sometimes confused as to who was speaking, which was probably what I disliked most about the book. Sometimes the author wrote about the events as if she was writing at the time, without judgement on the cult or what she was feeling. At other times she wrote from her current perspective, which was highly critical and skeptical of what happened. Sometimes this was a little confusing too. The book is well-edited. It would suit people who like to read true stories and biographies.
The author is brave and frank in her description of what happened to her, and this was what I liked most about the book. It leads you to redefine who might be "vulnerable" to being brainwashed in such a way. The author seemed strong and capable, though she was seeking approval of others, as many people are. I award the book four out of four stars because it is a fascinating read.
******
The Cult Next Door
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4 out of 4 stars
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The Cult Next Door is author Elizabeth R. Burchard’s account of her time in a "new age" cult in New York. She was involved from the late 1970s until the 1990s. Her mother was involved too. The book describes how she became interested, the cult "leader" George Sharkman, how other people joined, and what activities they took part in together. The members paid large proportions of their income to the leader, who claimed that he was receiving energy when he shook his head, which could be imparted to those around him. He attempted to change their perceptions of the world and to detach from other people. He charged large sums of money for his time. Sexual activity and political activism is also described. I wasn't able to find out much about the cult from a quick investigation on the internet, however.
The book does explore some of the reasons why she became involved, even though she felt huge misgivings at the time. I would have been interested to hear more about this, the author's own analysis of what kept her in this cult and the psychological mechanisms involved.
The author eventually develops a more conventional Christian faith. She doesn't interpret her previous experience through this lens however. It is usually left to the reader's imagination as to whether some of the phenomena were a result of mass delusion or whether the author believes that there was something supernatural happening.
Some chapters are written by Judith L. Carlone, a friend of the author who helped her to leave the cult. Though her contributions were interesting, I was sometimes confused as to who was speaking, which was probably what I disliked most about the book. Sometimes the author wrote about the events as if she was writing at the time, without judgement on the cult or what she was feeling. At other times she wrote from her current perspective, which was highly critical and skeptical of what happened. Sometimes this was a little confusing too. The book is well-edited. It would suit people who like to read true stories and biographies.
The author is brave and frank in her description of what happened to her, and this was what I liked most about the book. It leads you to redefine who might be "vulnerable" to being brainwashed in such a way. The author seemed strong and capable, though she was seeking approval of others, as many people are. I award the book four out of four stars because it is a fascinating read.
******
The Cult Next Door
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Av1d-Reader's review? Post a comment saying so!
