Review by Jessica Reehl -- The Cult Next Door

Jessica Reehl · Post by **Jessica Reehl** » 04 Aug 2018, 10:58

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

4 out of 4 stars

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The Cult Next Door, A Manhattan Memoir, by Elizabeth R. Burchard and Judith L. Carlone is a non-fiction book about a woman who pulled herself out of a dangerous cult. This book is exceptionally well written and hard to put down. It will pull at your emotions as you try to understand the depth of the despair of the author, Elizabeth.

Elizabeth's story starts with her mentally ill mother who was constantly taking her on journeys of "healthy enlightenment." Her mother was not only incapable of loving her daughter but also relentlessly berated and mentally abused her. It's amazing how strong and intelligent Elizabeth is despite her upbringing. She managed to become valedictorian and obtain her master's degree in science. Despite that, in a time of deep depression and grieving over the loss of her fiancé, she followed her mother into a dangerous cult that she wouldn't break free from for 20 years.

George was an aggressively new-age thinking therapist with ideas of biofeedback and "Energy" to cure his patients. He created "Energy" by shaking his body. He challenged all of the societal norms. Those that joined his group were not allowed to have much of a life in the outside world. He completely controlled everything about each member's life, took free sex whenever he wanted, and physically and mentally abused anyone who challenged his authority. He taught that women were always playing the "Female Game" to control men. So, in the group, the women were taught to completely submit to him in every way. Those that defied him were kicked out of the group. But, since they were programmed to be controlled by him, they always came back, grateful and submissive once again.

The worst part of this cult was that he billed endless hours to the members, bankrupting all of them while telling them the "Energy" would return their money if they just believed enough. When they failed or went bankrupt, it was because they were "losers" and didn't try hard enough to believe in the "Energy."

Elizabeth was a very unhappy woman throughout the book, grappling with severe depression and life threatening asthma. She was not allowed to see a doctor. No one in the group was allowed to see doctors or dentists, not even for their pets. Friendships and dating outside the group was prohibited. But, luckily for Elizabeth, she meets Judy, a friend outside of the group. Slowly, Judy helps her discover the lies she's been told and to realize how her life is being ruined by the group. She writes a beautiful comparison to Gulliver being tied down and slowly cutting away the binds as she slowly breaks free from the group.

I really felt like the heart of this story is the mentally incapability of the mother. My favorite quote of the book was "Along with a driver's license, nursing license, and liquor license, perhaps there should be a "parent's license." "

This book is great for those who love non-fiction. I love the writing and the story was very shocking but, ultimately, inspiring. For this, I'm giving the rating of 4 out of 4 stars.

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The Cult Next Door
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