Review by jadhart13 -- The Cult Next Door

Post by **Jaidyn Taylor** » 09 Feb 2021, 10:35

[Following is a volunteer review of "The Cult Next Door" by Elizabeth R. Burchard, Judith L. Carlone.]

4 out of 4 stars

Share This Review

Elizabeth R. Burchard and Judith L. Carlone's The Cult Next Door is a beautiful, disturbing retelling of Elizabeth's conversion, and eventual freedom, into a cult.

Elizabeth's journey began as a young child. After the passing of her father, all Elizabeth has is her abusive mother, who quickly gets sucked into various vitamin supplemental health regimes, dragging Elizabeth with her. They see various "certified doctors," "nutritionists," and "psychologists," before they finally find George Enoch Sharkman. Desperate for a role model, Elizabeth quickly latches onto George's idea of "biofeedback," a way for you to control yourself, and the world, through the Energy. With the promise of a better life, it's easy to believe that an inner Energy is the secret to life's struggles. And desperate for solace from depression and migraines, Elizabeth succumbs to the lies of George, who abuses her and her mother for money and sexual desires.

The group starts with Elizabeth and her mother, Rachel, and within a few years, the small group has taken off. Various other women and a few men have become faithful disciples of George and his Energy. Elizabeth, along with all the other women, dotes after George's attention and affection, often pleasuring him sexually, all in the name of spiritual and physical growth in the Energy. George commits many cruel, and disturbing acts, but Elizabeth doesn't have the strength or willpower to distance herself from George until Judith appears in her life. After years of physical, psychological, sexual, financial, and emotional abuse, Judith helps Elizabeth completely break her ties with George and his cult.

The Cult Next Door was so beautifully written, that I could feel everything happening to Elizabeth. After reading through her experience, I feel as if I have been in a cult myself. It was very hard to read at times but in a good way. George's cult was so extremely disturbing, that it's hard to imagine someone like this was existing in the world, horribly influencing people, and taking advantage of women and men.

Elizabeth made the scenes so incredibly vivid, that I could see myself there with her. However, as often as sex and other disturbing things were mentioned, nothing about this was graphic or overly described. The point was made about what was happening, and nothing unnecessary was added.

I honestly have nothing negative to say about this book. The experiences and scenes were so vivid and detailed in all the right ways to make me the right amount of uncomfortable. I found no editing or grammatical mistakes. It seems that this book was very well edited.

Overall, I give this book a 4 out of 4 stars. There were no errors that I could see, and the writing was extremely well done. I highly recommend this book for those who love reading about other people's life experiences. I will only recommend this for older readers, however, and those with the stomach to handle the many disturbing scenes. I was very often creeped out, and sick, because of the things George did in his cult. Proceed with the caution and knowledge that this is not an easy read, but in the end, very much worth taking the time to read, and share Elizabeth's experiences.

******
The Cult Next Door
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

Chizioboli · Post by **Chizioboli** » 10 Feb 2021, 11:21

I don't think I might want to read tbus one with the so many sexual scenes. Good review though

Sara Scott · Post by **Sara Scott** » 24 Feb 2022, 13:02

I'm in the midst of reading this book and I find myself continually turning to anyone to talk to about it! My boyfriend isn't into cults so he isn't such a fan of hearing about it. Finding your review was great! I completely agree with what you said about feeling like you are living the experiences with Elizabeth as you read. She does get into some vulnerable and sensitive situations but the detail does not go overboard, which I also appreciate. It could be very easy to get turned away due to the material at hand, but the authors are careful to only include what is necessary. Great review and thank you for sharing!