Review of The Cult Next Door
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Leslie Kunde
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Review of 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 is a mind-bending excursion into the world of cultism and mind control. In this memoir Elizabeth R. Burchard, LSW and co-author Judith L. Carlone tell of Elizabeth’s long journey into the dark of a cult and back out to the light of the world. With a seldom seen honesty, Elizabeth “Liz” reveals how and why she allowed herself to be sucked into what can only be described as a cult. How, under the guise of helping with her depression, a man named George Sharkman starts bio feedback on Liz and her mom. Little did she realize that this would lead to twenty years of abuse and self-loathing. Instead of helping her to get better, he helped himself to her... her mind... her body, and her checkbook. With verbal abuse in the form of put downs and praise designed to make her strive to please him, he slowly steals her life. Judy (Judith) and Liz meet at a political rally and become friends. With patient help and gently probing questions, Judy helps Liz to see what has happened, and that she deserves so much more. She helps her take charge of not only her personal life but also regain control of her business and finances.
I loved and hated this book. The raw emotions threatened to overwhelm me. I wanted to yell at Liz, “Don’t you see what he is doing? Run, do not walk, RUN away!” At times, I wanted to cry for the things she went through and the pain it caused her. A few times, I was sickened by what went on. I read with disbelief about Ben the dog and George’s belief that he could bring him back to life. I cheered her leaving and applauded her bravery to do so. After twenty years of control, it had to be unimaginably hard to walk away from the people she thought of as family. My heart broke for her when not one of them even called to see how she was after she left the group.
I found a lot not to like about this book. I did not like the mind control, the what in my mind was rape, the erasing of a person, nor the callus uncaring of George for all the harm he inflicted. This group of people under George’s control were so far gone, so deep into his concept, so under his control, that they even held his dead dog and apologized to him for their negative thoughts causing its death! This cult seemed to hollow out a person and fill them back with quicksand, quicksand made up of lies and harmful beliefs. All of these this things and more I did not like.
After reading the book twice, I can say it deserves 4 out of 4 stars. The editing is spot on, the feelings that come through the writing are gripping and soulfully honest.
I recommend reading this book if you have an interest in the inner workings of a cult. If you know someone that is in or on the edge of joining a cult, this book can help you understand how they are being manipulated. Because of the sexual content and occasional cussing, coupled with the subject matter, I would say this is an adult only book. I hope that people of all faiths and those of no faith all read this book. The lessons that can be learned in this book could help to save someone else from the same or worse fate.
******
The Cult Next Door
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The Cult Next Door is a mind-bending excursion into the world of cultism and mind control. In this memoir Elizabeth R. Burchard, LSW and co-author Judith L. Carlone tell of Elizabeth’s long journey into the dark of a cult and back out to the light of the world. With a seldom seen honesty, Elizabeth “Liz” reveals how and why she allowed herself to be sucked into what can only be described as a cult. How, under the guise of helping with her depression, a man named George Sharkman starts bio feedback on Liz and her mom. Little did she realize that this would lead to twenty years of abuse and self-loathing. Instead of helping her to get better, he helped himself to her... her mind... her body, and her checkbook. With verbal abuse in the form of put downs and praise designed to make her strive to please him, he slowly steals her life. Judy (Judith) and Liz meet at a political rally and become friends. With patient help and gently probing questions, Judy helps Liz to see what has happened, and that she deserves so much more. She helps her take charge of not only her personal life but also regain control of her business and finances.
I loved and hated this book. The raw emotions threatened to overwhelm me. I wanted to yell at Liz, “Don’t you see what he is doing? Run, do not walk, RUN away!” At times, I wanted to cry for the things she went through and the pain it caused her. A few times, I was sickened by what went on. I read with disbelief about Ben the dog and George’s belief that he could bring him back to life. I cheered her leaving and applauded her bravery to do so. After twenty years of control, it had to be unimaginably hard to walk away from the people she thought of as family. My heart broke for her when not one of them even called to see how she was after she left the group.
I found a lot not to like about this book. I did not like the mind control, the what in my mind was rape, the erasing of a person, nor the callus uncaring of George for all the harm he inflicted. This group of people under George’s control were so far gone, so deep into his concept, so under his control, that they even held his dead dog and apologized to him for their negative thoughts causing its death! This cult seemed to hollow out a person and fill them back with quicksand, quicksand made up of lies and harmful beliefs. All of these this things and more I did not like.
After reading the book twice, I can say it deserves 4 out of 4 stars. The editing is spot on, the feelings that come through the writing are gripping and soulfully honest.
I recommend reading this book if you have an interest in the inner workings of a cult. If you know someone that is in or on the edge of joining a cult, this book can help you understand how they are being manipulated. Because of the sexual content and occasional cussing, coupled with the subject matter, I would say this is an adult only book. I hope that people of all faiths and those of no faith all read this book. The lessons that can be learned in this book could help to save someone else from the same or worse fate.
******
The Cult Next Door
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Truth and Evil by G. Edward Martin
