Review by Browneh -- The Cult Next Door
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Browneh
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Review by Browneh -- 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 follows the true story – and life - of Elizabeth (Liz) Burchard, and her gradual indoctrination into a New York cult. The story begins with Liz’s childhood. Her role model father passed away whilst she was still at a tender age, and her mother – a fanatic for the latest health craze – is shown as slightly sociopathic. During one of her college breaks, she attends a therapy session with George Sharkman; a young, passionate – albeit illegitimate - practitioner with a charismatic personality akin to the likes of Ted Bundy. She soon becomes obsessed with his ideas and prophetic ramblings. Over the years, more individuals developed a similar infatuation with George, brainwashed with promises of a beautiful future ready for the taking.
From her teens to her late thirties, Liz was imprisoned by her emotions and vulnerability. Stuck with decisions of someone else’s making, she entered into multiple businesses with Serena (George’s daughter). It is soon revealed that despite Liz’s hard-work, she was broke financially, physically and mentally – whilst Serena revelled in her own narcissism and her father’s money.
This story deals excellently with mental manipulation, emotional and physical abuse, and feeling trapped by people and places. Butt deep between the pages of anguish and despair, a tale of hope hides.
This book truly deserves 4 out of 4 stars, not just for the hardship that Elizabeth faced during her life, but for painstakingly laying the truth down on pages to teach others. This author is unlike any other I have read. I don’t have a lot of knowledge about cults or cultish behaviour, but I felt like I was living Elizabeth’s life through her words. I have never felt such animosity from reading a book; I hated George and his children (particularly Serena), for everything they did to her.
George Sharkman, the creator and leader of this cult, is highly disturbing. His capability to manipulate and come across as a caring father to the clan is distressing. Even more alarming is his seamless transitions from an all-loving guru to a stone cold, violent psychopath. But the creepiest fact of all for me, is that George (and his family) truly believed that he held power within his body; that he could pass the energy to his followers by rapidly shaking his head back and forth. A guru controlling his followers for financial gain is one thing, but one who believes in his own fabrications is truly hazardous to society.
My single critique of the book has nothing to do with the language or grammar, but more to do with Elizabeth herself. I understand and sympathise with her situation; however, she states that whilst she doubted George’s teachings at times, she continued to recruit other members. I believe that upon reflection, this is what Elizabeth wishes to have happened, but in reality, I doubt she had strong scepticism of George’s teaching while she was deep in the cult mentality and has added this fact in during her retelling to deal with her own struggles. I can appreciate this though (and I, of course, don’t know this for a complete fact) so it is inevitably easy to overlook in the grand scheme of the story.
I cried for Elizabeth and all those tormented by the manipulator. I laughed at the absurdity of some of the cult’s beliefs. I was repulsed by the attempted ‘resurrection’ of Ben (the family’s dead and rotting golden Labrador). I was overjoyed by Liz’s escape and ability to move forward without George. This book made me feel.
I would highly recommend this book for anyone that would like to educate themselves in psychology or read a true story brimming with emotion. Although, due to the explicit themes of mental health manipulation and adult content, I believe that this should only be read by someone of the correct disposition. I don’t personally believe in giving age-restrictions to books, but I do believe that if an individual would like to read this book, that they should be able to handle its nature and the brutality of indoctrination.
Elizabeth (and Judith – although introduced much later in the book) are truly excellent writers. It felt like you were following by their side as they struggled to overcome their demons – i.e. Mr Sharkman. But this non-fiction book was truly grammatically faultless. An excellent read that I will be recommending to all my friends!
******
The Cult Next Door
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
4 out of 4 stars
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The cult next door follows the true story – and life - of Elizabeth (Liz) Burchard, and her gradual indoctrination into a New York cult. The story begins with Liz’s childhood. Her role model father passed away whilst she was still at a tender age, and her mother – a fanatic for the latest health craze – is shown as slightly sociopathic. During one of her college breaks, she attends a therapy session with George Sharkman; a young, passionate – albeit illegitimate - practitioner with a charismatic personality akin to the likes of Ted Bundy. She soon becomes obsessed with his ideas and prophetic ramblings. Over the years, more individuals developed a similar infatuation with George, brainwashed with promises of a beautiful future ready for the taking.
From her teens to her late thirties, Liz was imprisoned by her emotions and vulnerability. Stuck with decisions of someone else’s making, she entered into multiple businesses with Serena (George’s daughter). It is soon revealed that despite Liz’s hard-work, she was broke financially, physically and mentally – whilst Serena revelled in her own narcissism and her father’s money.
This story deals excellently with mental manipulation, emotional and physical abuse, and feeling trapped by people and places. Butt deep between the pages of anguish and despair, a tale of hope hides.
This book truly deserves 4 out of 4 stars, not just for the hardship that Elizabeth faced during her life, but for painstakingly laying the truth down on pages to teach others. This author is unlike any other I have read. I don’t have a lot of knowledge about cults or cultish behaviour, but I felt like I was living Elizabeth’s life through her words. I have never felt such animosity from reading a book; I hated George and his children (particularly Serena), for everything they did to her.
George Sharkman, the creator and leader of this cult, is highly disturbing. His capability to manipulate and come across as a caring father to the clan is distressing. Even more alarming is his seamless transitions from an all-loving guru to a stone cold, violent psychopath. But the creepiest fact of all for me, is that George (and his family) truly believed that he held power within his body; that he could pass the energy to his followers by rapidly shaking his head back and forth. A guru controlling his followers for financial gain is one thing, but one who believes in his own fabrications is truly hazardous to society.
My single critique of the book has nothing to do with the language or grammar, but more to do with Elizabeth herself. I understand and sympathise with her situation; however, she states that whilst she doubted George’s teachings at times, she continued to recruit other members. I believe that upon reflection, this is what Elizabeth wishes to have happened, but in reality, I doubt she had strong scepticism of George’s teaching while she was deep in the cult mentality and has added this fact in during her retelling to deal with her own struggles. I can appreciate this though (and I, of course, don’t know this for a complete fact) so it is inevitably easy to overlook in the grand scheme of the story.
I cried for Elizabeth and all those tormented by the manipulator. I laughed at the absurdity of some of the cult’s beliefs. I was repulsed by the attempted ‘resurrection’ of Ben (the family’s dead and rotting golden Labrador). I was overjoyed by Liz’s escape and ability to move forward without George. This book made me feel.
I would highly recommend this book for anyone that would like to educate themselves in psychology or read a true story brimming with emotion. Although, due to the explicit themes of mental health manipulation and adult content, I believe that this should only be read by someone of the correct disposition. I don’t personally believe in giving age-restrictions to books, but I do believe that if an individual would like to read this book, that they should be able to handle its nature and the brutality of indoctrination.
Elizabeth (and Judith – although introduced much later in the book) are truly excellent writers. It felt like you were following by their side as they struggled to overcome their demons – i.e. Mr Sharkman. But this non-fiction book was truly grammatically faultless. An excellent read that I will be recommending to all my friends!
******
The Cult Next Door
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Spyder Bones by Oliver Phipps
