Review by Barbara6886 -- The Cult Next Door
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Barbara6886
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Review by Barbara6886 -- The Cult Next Door
[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 is a nonfiction novel in which Liz tells about her traumatic experiences inside a cult.
Liz loses her father at a young age. He was the parent that encouraged her and praised her, made her feel loved. Left with a mother she could never please who did not express love for her, leaves Liz susceptible to George. George was the last in her mother's long line of latest health crazes. All her life Liz was subjected to therapy and doctors as her mother looked for fulfillment in her own life. They both thought they had found the answer when they met George.
What they found was a nightmare. George used every manipulation possible to brainwash and bind Liz and her mother to him. He controlled their lives. They became avid believers in him and what he called The Energy. Working to help George build his following, they brought friends and family to meetings. Thankfully Liz finds a friend in Judy who helps her to see the abuse she suffered at the hands of George.
Elizabeth tells the story from her viewpoint giving the reader insight into her thoughts and feelings as she lived under George's control. It helps to explain how manipulative and dangerous a narcissistic person like George can be. It is easy for anyone who has not had an encounter with someone like this to think that only weak, uneducated people can be taken in by them. This book does a wonderful job showing how the narcissist uncovers weaknesses and uses them against you. After all, everyone wants to feel loved and accepted.
There was nothing about this book that I disliked except George, of course. He is a person you can love to hate as you see how he destroyed the lives of the people around him.
It is a well-written book with no grammar or spelling mistakes noted. I would caution that this book is not for everyone. Anyone who has experienced emotional, sexual and/or physical abuse may find it a difficult read depending on where they are in their path of healing. The rituals and spiritual teaching that George forced on his followers may be offensive to some as they involve sexual practices and animal abuse. George also claims to be God.
I commend Elizabeth's courage in telling her story and hope it will help others to avoid or recover from similar abuse. I give The Cult Next Door: A Manhattan Memoir 4 out of 4 stars.
******
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 is a nonfiction novel in which Liz tells about her traumatic experiences inside a cult.
Liz loses her father at a young age. He was the parent that encouraged her and praised her, made her feel loved. Left with a mother she could never please who did not express love for her, leaves Liz susceptible to George. George was the last in her mother's long line of latest health crazes. All her life Liz was subjected to therapy and doctors as her mother looked for fulfillment in her own life. They both thought they had found the answer when they met George.
What they found was a nightmare. George used every manipulation possible to brainwash and bind Liz and her mother to him. He controlled their lives. They became avid believers in him and what he called The Energy. Working to help George build his following, they brought friends and family to meetings. Thankfully Liz finds a friend in Judy who helps her to see the abuse she suffered at the hands of George.
Elizabeth tells the story from her viewpoint giving the reader insight into her thoughts and feelings as she lived under George's control. It helps to explain how manipulative and dangerous a narcissistic person like George can be. It is easy for anyone who has not had an encounter with someone like this to think that only weak, uneducated people can be taken in by them. This book does a wonderful job showing how the narcissist uncovers weaknesses and uses them against you. After all, everyone wants to feel loved and accepted.
There was nothing about this book that I disliked except George, of course. He is a person you can love to hate as you see how he destroyed the lives of the people around him.
It is a well-written book with no grammar or spelling mistakes noted. I would caution that this book is not for everyone. Anyone who has experienced emotional, sexual and/or physical abuse may find it a difficult read depending on where they are in their path of healing. The rituals and spiritual teaching that George forced on his followers may be offensive to some as they involve sexual practices and animal abuse. George also claims to be God.
I commend Elizabeth's courage in telling her story and hope it will help others to avoid or recover from similar abuse. I give The Cult Next Door: A Manhattan Memoir 4 out of 4 stars.
******
The Cult Next Door
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Adrift by Charlie Sheldon
