Review of The Cult Next Door
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Lisa Thomason
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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.]
If you have ever wanted to know how someone could possibly become involved in a cult, then the memoir The Cult Next Door is a great eye-opening read. This novel, written by Elizabeth R. Burchard and Judith L. Carlone, describes firsthand how one can become so enthralled and invested that they deplete their savings and dedicate their lives to one person or ideology. As Rachael, Elizabeth's mother, is searching for answers to their mental and physical health issues, she stumbles across many temporary solutions. Then she encounters George who is her psychiatrist's tech and he administers treatment to both Rachael and Elizabeth. Eventually George goes too far and is fired. He then decides that he has the answers that people are looking for in their lives so he starts his own group. Rachael opens up her home and allows George to hold his meetings in her home. These meetings are about enlightening people to the "Energy", as George calls it. He also teaches the members that he has these powers that defy logic. As his teaching meetings go on, he begins to have individual sessions with the members. He charges a fee for these one-on-one sessions. The members of this growing group seem eager to pay so they can learn how they too can be gods. Is Elizabeth able and strong enough to leave this cult? What happened to the $165,000 Elizabeth spent for these sessions? Did George really have the answers for what everyone was searching for?
I chose The Cult Next Door because I have always wondered why people choose to get involved in cults. This novel definitely did not disappoint. I liked how the authors shared what the thinking of the members was and how they could be manipulated and controlled by the leader. The authors list some of the myths the world has about cults. Myth #1 is that cultists are unintelligent. Myth #2 is that those who join cults are weak-willed. Myth #3 is that the cult's bizarre doctrine makes sense to the recruit. So why do people join cults? You'll need to read this fascinating book to find out why the author did.
I did find many of the sexual scenes to be distasteful. The author was just stating what had happened but it seemed that it was too much detail. Other than that, The Cult Next Door was masterfully written and engaging.
I give this book five out of five stars. Reading this book was very enjoyable. The book had only one punctuation error, indicating it was professionally edited. The topic of cults seems very appealing to many. I believe many readers will enjoy and be enlightened by this spectactularly written book. The amount of inappropriate language was minimal so that makes The Cult Next Door an amazing read to readers of all walks of life and ages.
My recommendation for the audience of readers for this book is all ages. I believe that it is an engaging read while also very informational on what happens inside a cult. I do not feel that this would be in anyway offensive to anyone who has religious beliefs. I found this memoir full of wonderful information and was easy to follow along with the characters on their journey.
******
The Cult Next Door
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
If you have ever wanted to know how someone could possibly become involved in a cult, then the memoir The Cult Next Door is a great eye-opening read. This novel, written by Elizabeth R. Burchard and Judith L. Carlone, describes firsthand how one can become so enthralled and invested that they deplete their savings and dedicate their lives to one person or ideology. As Rachael, Elizabeth's mother, is searching for answers to their mental and physical health issues, she stumbles across many temporary solutions. Then she encounters George who is her psychiatrist's tech and he administers treatment to both Rachael and Elizabeth. Eventually George goes too far and is fired. He then decides that he has the answers that people are looking for in their lives so he starts his own group. Rachael opens up her home and allows George to hold his meetings in her home. These meetings are about enlightening people to the "Energy", as George calls it. He also teaches the members that he has these powers that defy logic. As his teaching meetings go on, he begins to have individual sessions with the members. He charges a fee for these one-on-one sessions. The members of this growing group seem eager to pay so they can learn how they too can be gods. Is Elizabeth able and strong enough to leave this cult? What happened to the $165,000 Elizabeth spent for these sessions? Did George really have the answers for what everyone was searching for?
I chose The Cult Next Door because I have always wondered why people choose to get involved in cults. This novel definitely did not disappoint. I liked how the authors shared what the thinking of the members was and how they could be manipulated and controlled by the leader. The authors list some of the myths the world has about cults. Myth #1 is that cultists are unintelligent. Myth #2 is that those who join cults are weak-willed. Myth #3 is that the cult's bizarre doctrine makes sense to the recruit. So why do people join cults? You'll need to read this fascinating book to find out why the author did.
I did find many of the sexual scenes to be distasteful. The author was just stating what had happened but it seemed that it was too much detail. Other than that, The Cult Next Door was masterfully written and engaging.
I give this book five out of five stars. Reading this book was very enjoyable. The book had only one punctuation error, indicating it was professionally edited. The topic of cults seems very appealing to many. I believe many readers will enjoy and be enlightened by this spectactularly written book. The amount of inappropriate language was minimal so that makes The Cult Next Door an amazing read to readers of all walks of life and ages.
My recommendation for the audience of readers for this book is all ages. I believe that it is an engaging read while also very informational on what happens inside a cult. I do not feel that this would be in anyway offensive to anyone who has religious beliefs. I found this memoir full of wonderful information and was easy to follow along with the characters on their journey.
******
The Cult Next Door
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Wolfgang's Castle by Rex W Last
