Review by Vivianne Nat -- The Cult Next Door
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Review by Vivianne Nat -- The Cult Next Door
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Cult Next Door" by Elizabeth R. Burchard, Judith L. Carlone.]
Oh, how we live in a world of desperation that we try so hard to be in control of our lives and of others just to get what we want.
The Cult Next Door: A Manhattan Memoir by Elizabeth Burchard and Judith Carlone is the riveting story of a girl, who in quiet desperation for attention and love, spent her life living in a daze. Elizabeth, more known as Liz, was a victim of bullying by her own mother. She has been dealing with therapists since she was young because her mother was a devotee.Poor Liz had her fair share of these swindlers and ended up a victim, too. In her mother’s search for comfort from various therapists, they met George, a psychotherapist who deals with biofeedback therapy. Despite how outlandish his ways are, their faith in him grew through the years. They were able to form a group of believers who does nothing but seek George’s approval in their day-to-day lives. He manipulated, molested and used them for his own benefit leaving them broke and more broken than ever. In the end, with the help of a newfound friend who made her realize that everything is just a propaganda, Liz leaves the spiteful environment and breaks free from the tangled lies which she has succumbed to for years.
Written in the first person point of view, this memoir is divided into 10 parts starting from Elizabeth, one of the author’s childhood experiences and ends with her closing that cruel chapter of her life and moving on. The story is made to look like a diary with the dates used as titles to put things in order. Judith’s perspective starts at Part 5 of the book, and despite having two minds talking, the flow of the book is still smooth and coherent.
I thought when I picked it up for reading I’ll be reading a boring narrative about someone else’s cult experience. But I'm surprised to see myself engrossed with the story that I managed to finish reading it in less than 8 hours. With this life-changing story to tell, it only shows that a non-fiction story can also be as gripping as a fiction one. This is such a poignant story, it will stir emotions.
One can learn a thing or two from this story. Cults still exist because as much as we’d like to hide the truth, the ever changing world makes people feel more alone and lonely. And there are millions of people out there who are depressed and are always looking for a place to belong. These lost souls grasp on to anyone and anything they can get their hands on to so long as it will make them feel safe and understood, but blinding them to the truth.
This is a highly recommended reading for adult readers, to lovers of mystery and non-fiction stories. As you go with Liz in her story, you will also be reflecting about your own life. You will ask yourself if you’ve ever been a victim of these type of groups once in your life. We have a lot of George in our lives and we either choose to live in their web of lies or break free from it. Extreme precaution to those who are not used to or uncomfortable with non-graphic sexual scenes and suggestive words because they are scattered throughout the entire book. There are also vindictive and repugnant actions which can be unbearable for others.
I did not find any errors from the book and I can say it’s edited perfectly. There is nothing to dislike about it. It is very honest and an eye opener to the contemporary world. It deserves a 4 out of 4 star rating.
******
The Cult Next Door
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Oh, how we live in a world of desperation that we try so hard to be in control of our lives and of others just to get what we want.
The Cult Next Door: A Manhattan Memoir by Elizabeth Burchard and Judith Carlone is the riveting story of a girl, who in quiet desperation for attention and love, spent her life living in a daze. Elizabeth, more known as Liz, was a victim of bullying by her own mother. She has been dealing with therapists since she was young because her mother was a devotee.Poor Liz had her fair share of these swindlers and ended up a victim, too. In her mother’s search for comfort from various therapists, they met George, a psychotherapist who deals with biofeedback therapy. Despite how outlandish his ways are, their faith in him grew through the years. They were able to form a group of believers who does nothing but seek George’s approval in their day-to-day lives. He manipulated, molested and used them for his own benefit leaving them broke and more broken than ever. In the end, with the help of a newfound friend who made her realize that everything is just a propaganda, Liz leaves the spiteful environment and breaks free from the tangled lies which she has succumbed to for years.
Written in the first person point of view, this memoir is divided into 10 parts starting from Elizabeth, one of the author’s childhood experiences and ends with her closing that cruel chapter of her life and moving on. The story is made to look like a diary with the dates used as titles to put things in order. Judith’s perspective starts at Part 5 of the book, and despite having two minds talking, the flow of the book is still smooth and coherent.
I thought when I picked it up for reading I’ll be reading a boring narrative about someone else’s cult experience. But I'm surprised to see myself engrossed with the story that I managed to finish reading it in less than 8 hours. With this life-changing story to tell, it only shows that a non-fiction story can also be as gripping as a fiction one. This is such a poignant story, it will stir emotions.
One can learn a thing or two from this story. Cults still exist because as much as we’d like to hide the truth, the ever changing world makes people feel more alone and lonely. And there are millions of people out there who are depressed and are always looking for a place to belong. These lost souls grasp on to anyone and anything they can get their hands on to so long as it will make them feel safe and understood, but blinding them to the truth.
This is a highly recommended reading for adult readers, to lovers of mystery and non-fiction stories. As you go with Liz in her story, you will also be reflecting about your own life. You will ask yourself if you’ve ever been a victim of these type of groups once in your life. We have a lot of George in our lives and we either choose to live in their web of lies or break free from it. Extreme precaution to those who are not used to or uncomfortable with non-graphic sexual scenes and suggestive words because they are scattered throughout the entire book. There are also vindictive and repugnant actions which can be unbearable for others.
I did not find any errors from the book and I can say it’s edited perfectly. There is nothing to dislike about it. It is very honest and an eye opener to the contemporary world. It deserves a 4 out of 4 star rating.
******
The Cult Next Door
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: How To Be Successful by M. Curtis McCoy
