Review by Nivi Gideon -- The Cult Next Door
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Review by Nivi Gideon -- The Cult Next Door
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Cult Next Door" by Elizabeth R. Burchard, Judith L. Carlone.]
A captivating story that depicts the hidden horrors of cultish organizations and the unsaid stories of its many victims. The Cult Next Door exposes the fraudulent practices of scammers who parade under the pretence of modern health gurus.
Elizabeth suffers from childhood trauma because of the neglect and lack of affection she endures from her mother, Rachael. After spending years living with a helicopter parent and coping with the loss of her beloved father, she finally runs into a therapist, George Sharkman, who supposedly relieves any form of stress from his patients. Elizabeth and Rachael inevitably fall down a rabbit hole from which there is seemingly no escape. Elizabeth spends the next twenty years serving George along with his growing cult. By the time she realises her need for freedom, she discovers that setting herself free after years of bondage will prove to be no effortless task.
I can see the memoir as a part of trauma literature as it proves how childhood trauma can affect one’s life. Additionally, most of the members in the group are women who suffer from low self-esteem and are willing to go bankrupt in the pursuit of illusory happiness. They are brain-washed into believing that all of them are the messiahs and need to do their own saving.
The cult‘s indoctrination prevents them from thinking for themselves and reasoning between right and wrong. George bullies them into submission and silence until they take his word to be the one true gospel. Sharkman forces them to reject the empirical laws of nature and uses the Law of Reciprocity to swindle the ladies. He also twists the Christian faith and invents a counterfeit of the ten commandments. The group struggles to find their true vocation as George reaches into their pockets and steals their money. Towards the end, the cult members become evangelists of sorts and try to convert as many people as they can.
I found the cult’s approach to life very interesting and horrifying. The only true value they believe is to ‘do what is right for you.’ The ideas of interchangeable relationships and how ‘everyone belongs to everyone else’ remind me of the dystopian society in the novel Brave New World.
The authors, Elizabeth R. Burchard and Judith L. Carlone wonderfully convey the reality of the New Age religion to the readers. It is a moving narrative of how a woman gets back on her feet despite her personal struggles and lack of support. I rate this book four out of four stars. There was nothing I disliked about it. It is professionally edited and can definitely be termed as a page-turner. This book is suitable for all adults who wish to learn more about cultish groups and their true colours.
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The Cult Next Door
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
A captivating story that depicts the hidden horrors of cultish organizations and the unsaid stories of its many victims. The Cult Next Door exposes the fraudulent practices of scammers who parade under the pretence of modern health gurus.
Elizabeth suffers from childhood trauma because of the neglect and lack of affection she endures from her mother, Rachael. After spending years living with a helicopter parent and coping with the loss of her beloved father, she finally runs into a therapist, George Sharkman, who supposedly relieves any form of stress from his patients. Elizabeth and Rachael inevitably fall down a rabbit hole from which there is seemingly no escape. Elizabeth spends the next twenty years serving George along with his growing cult. By the time she realises her need for freedom, she discovers that setting herself free after years of bondage will prove to be no effortless task.
I can see the memoir as a part of trauma literature as it proves how childhood trauma can affect one’s life. Additionally, most of the members in the group are women who suffer from low self-esteem and are willing to go bankrupt in the pursuit of illusory happiness. They are brain-washed into believing that all of them are the messiahs and need to do their own saving.
The cult‘s indoctrination prevents them from thinking for themselves and reasoning between right and wrong. George bullies them into submission and silence until they take his word to be the one true gospel. Sharkman forces them to reject the empirical laws of nature and uses the Law of Reciprocity to swindle the ladies. He also twists the Christian faith and invents a counterfeit of the ten commandments. The group struggles to find their true vocation as George reaches into their pockets and steals their money. Towards the end, the cult members become evangelists of sorts and try to convert as many people as they can.
I found the cult’s approach to life very interesting and horrifying. The only true value they believe is to ‘do what is right for you.’ The ideas of interchangeable relationships and how ‘everyone belongs to everyone else’ remind me of the dystopian society in the novel Brave New World.
The authors, Elizabeth R. Burchard and Judith L. Carlone wonderfully convey the reality of the New Age religion to the readers. It is a moving narrative of how a woman gets back on her feet despite her personal struggles and lack of support. I rate this book four out of four stars. There was nothing I disliked about it. It is professionally edited and can definitely be termed as a page-turner. This book is suitable for all adults who wish to learn more about cultish groups and their true colours.
******
The Cult Next Door
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Returning fire by Linda rhoutsong
