Review by StarkidStarling -- The Cult Next Door

Sarah Starling · Post by **Sarah Starling** » 12 Sep 2018, 12:21

[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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We read a book expecting a solid beginning, climatic middle, and an ending with closure. Usually, we get that experience and move on to the next book. Memoirs don't always give us a steady storyline or a happy ending, but they always leave us stuck on them after you finish. The Cult Next Door: A Manhattan Memoir by Elizabeth Burchard and Judith Carlone is a riveting memoir that leaves the reader both wanting more and wanting nothing more.

Liz started meeting with George Sharkman as an 18-year-old via the recommendation of her mother, Rachael. His eccentric ways were endearing and seemed groundbreaking. Liz, her mother, and a handful of other malleable individuals quickly joined his following and forked over most of the money in their savings and paychecks. Sharkman sexual, emotionally, and financially exploited this group for years until his passing in 2006. Liz was able to break out of the cult in 1996 after wasting her young adult life with him.

This book was a hard one to read and a harder one to believe was actually nonfiction. The group worshiped a dead dog, ran for the presidency, and did so many other ludicrous actions that it would be hard for any outsider to take them seriously as a group and want to follow them. Their antics seemed comical until you remember these are real people involved and wasting their life for the false promise of eternal salvation. It was heartbreaking to see women giving away their power and lives for a man greedy for control.

Liz was one of the only cult members to escape and try to make a difference, but the other members of the cult could not see they were being used and denied her accusations or made excuses for Sharkman. Her novel was an interesting read and it really made me realize anyone in the wrong place at the wrong time could fall victim to a cult-like George Sharkman's.

The book was easy to follow and had a clear timeline. I wish there was an ending that gave the reader a better sense of closure, but as a nonfiction book and memoir, the author did not have that privilege to give to the reader. I have no critiques of her writing style otherwise.

I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. It was a well-edited, interesting read. I would recommend this book to adults looking for a view into the world of cults, as long as they have a strong stomach. The Cult Next Door: A Manhattan Memoir is a book that changes the way you view the world, even if it is just a little bit.

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The Cult Next Door
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Allyseria · Post by **Allyseria** » 18 Sep 2018, 18:30

Wow, what an emotional book. It does sound like it is a fiction book. I'll have to give it a read.

jcoad · Post by **jcoad** » 18 Sep 2018, 18:53

This is the second review I have read on this book and they both make it sound like a fascinating read. I think I would be screaming at the pages for these people to wake up. I'm going to have to read this book. Thanks for the great review!