Review by OliviaLouise -- The Cult Next Door
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OliviaLouise
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Review by OliviaLouise -- The Cult Next Door
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Cult Next Door" by Elizabeth R. Burchard, Judith L. Carlone.]
What type of person winds up in a cult? In The Cult Next Door: A Manhattan Memoir, authors Elizabeth R. Burchard and Judith L. Carlone bring a great deal of clarity to answering this question. In a foreword by psychologist William Goldberg, this book asserts that it is a myth that “cultists are unintelligent” and that “cults manipulate through emotions, not critical thinking” (loc 135). The story of Burchard and the life she spent clenched in the cold fist of The Group, a cult based in New York, is both chilling and elucidating.
Born in 1959 on the Upper East Side, Burchard’s parents split up when she was just 3 years old. Upon her father’s death when she was 7 years old, Burchard lived the remainder of her childhood with her mother, Rachael, whom she describes as “a monster lunging without warning… reacting to my innocent utterances with a slap in the face, sometimes… in front of my playmates” (loc 251). Before long, Rachael became engrossed in alternative healthcare such as miracle vitamins and biofeedback, frequently idolizing various quack doctors. It was in this way that Burchard and Rachael met George Sharkman and became founding members of The Group, a cult that would ultimately destroy Burchard’s relationships and finances, and consume nearly 20 years of her life.
As if the topic of this book weren’t riveting enough, I found the author’s writing style to be entrancing in its attention to detail. Placing the reader near the end of the story in order to highlight the significance of the beginning, Burchard begins her story by describing a visit she took to Rachael’s apartment in May of 1996. I caught myself holding my breath as I was plunged into the scene: “Entering the dimly lit hallway, I sensed familiar spirits of neglect and decay. They cried plaintively as they rushed past me, recounting unfulfilled dreams--a life wasted on fantasy and lies--now almost concluded” (180). Burchard’s descriptions of her mother’s hoarding and lack of self-care set the desolate scene for what follows: a suspenseful, page-turning build-up of everything that happens to bring Burchard and Rachael to this moment.
One unique aspect of this book is its rare insight into the mind of a cult leader. As a founding member of The Group, Burchard’s account of George Sharkman’s behavior is up-close and personal. Having studied science in college, Burchard struggles to embrace George’s argument against the existence of gravity during group meeting one day. Upon realizing that Burchard disagrees with him upon this point, George rails against her, publicly shaming her intelligence and accusing her of holding the rest of The Group back. Insults to intelligence are not the only items in George’s arsenal, however. Alongside intelligence, George also weaponizes gender, faith, financial security, and personal relationships, gradually filling and consuming every aspect of cult members’ lives.
Without hesitation, I give this book 4 out of 4 stars. I did not find any editing errors, the book is easy to engage with and difficult to set down, the topic is interesting, and the author’s personal account is incredible. There is not a single thing I don’t like about this book. If you are interested in cults, psychology, or maybe just a really interesting read, this book is for you! This book does contain occasional instances of mild language and scenes involving sexual assault, so if you are sensitive to these things, you might want to pass on this one.
******
The Cult Next Door
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
What type of person winds up in a cult? In The Cult Next Door: A Manhattan Memoir, authors Elizabeth R. Burchard and Judith L. Carlone bring a great deal of clarity to answering this question. In a foreword by psychologist William Goldberg, this book asserts that it is a myth that “cultists are unintelligent” and that “cults manipulate through emotions, not critical thinking” (loc 135). The story of Burchard and the life she spent clenched in the cold fist of The Group, a cult based in New York, is both chilling and elucidating.
Born in 1959 on the Upper East Side, Burchard’s parents split up when she was just 3 years old. Upon her father’s death when she was 7 years old, Burchard lived the remainder of her childhood with her mother, Rachael, whom she describes as “a monster lunging without warning… reacting to my innocent utterances with a slap in the face, sometimes… in front of my playmates” (loc 251). Before long, Rachael became engrossed in alternative healthcare such as miracle vitamins and biofeedback, frequently idolizing various quack doctors. It was in this way that Burchard and Rachael met George Sharkman and became founding members of The Group, a cult that would ultimately destroy Burchard’s relationships and finances, and consume nearly 20 years of her life.
As if the topic of this book weren’t riveting enough, I found the author’s writing style to be entrancing in its attention to detail. Placing the reader near the end of the story in order to highlight the significance of the beginning, Burchard begins her story by describing a visit she took to Rachael’s apartment in May of 1996. I caught myself holding my breath as I was plunged into the scene: “Entering the dimly lit hallway, I sensed familiar spirits of neglect and decay. They cried plaintively as they rushed past me, recounting unfulfilled dreams--a life wasted on fantasy and lies--now almost concluded” (180). Burchard’s descriptions of her mother’s hoarding and lack of self-care set the desolate scene for what follows: a suspenseful, page-turning build-up of everything that happens to bring Burchard and Rachael to this moment.
One unique aspect of this book is its rare insight into the mind of a cult leader. As a founding member of The Group, Burchard’s account of George Sharkman’s behavior is up-close and personal. Having studied science in college, Burchard struggles to embrace George’s argument against the existence of gravity during group meeting one day. Upon realizing that Burchard disagrees with him upon this point, George rails against her, publicly shaming her intelligence and accusing her of holding the rest of The Group back. Insults to intelligence are not the only items in George’s arsenal, however. Alongside intelligence, George also weaponizes gender, faith, financial security, and personal relationships, gradually filling and consuming every aspect of cult members’ lives.
Without hesitation, I give this book 4 out of 4 stars. I did not find any editing errors, the book is easy to engage with and difficult to set down, the topic is interesting, and the author’s personal account is incredible. There is not a single thing I don’t like about this book. If you are interested in cults, psychology, or maybe just a really interesting read, this book is for you! This book does contain occasional instances of mild language and scenes involving sexual assault, so if you are sensitive to these things, you might want to pass on this one.
******
The Cult Next Door
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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