Review by Natalia Andreas -- The Cult Next Door
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Natalia Kavale
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Review by Natalia Andreas -- The Cult Next Door
[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
The Cult Next Door is a biography of Elizabeth Burchard. This testimonial story is co-authored by her close friend Judith Carlone. This book is based on a description of true life events based on the life of Burchard. It recounts the journey of Burchard from a very young age as an emotionally and mentally scared young girl who seeks refuge and acceptance in a Biofeedback technician and stress reduction specialist Gorge Sharkman. It describes how Burchard, under the leadership of her mentor Sharkman devoted many years of her youth in a cult that did her more harm than good.
Having lost her father at a very young age, Burchard was left in the care of her mother Rachel, a "socially defiant" woman who continously criticises her own daughter and mercilessly humiliates her in public. During her freshman year of college, her mother invited her to attend a Biofeedback session under the guidance of a technician and stress reduction expert Sharkman. As time went by, Burchard gets swept away by her new mentor's words of wisdom and his revelation about the great enlightenment and glorious future that he predicts through what he refers to as "the energy". Burchard sees these sessions as a window of opportunity for her to find a sense of purpose and boost her self-esteem.
Burchard and her mother eventually decided to invite him to do his sessions at their home after his boss kicks him to the curb. With their help, Sharkman eventually manages to get a group of devoted followers under his wing. For nearly twenty years, Burchard and the rest of the followers embark on what they believe to be a Journey to self discovery and freedom under the leadership of a mentor who was more interested in exhausting their pockets and fulfilling his personal desires. Burchard and the gang were brainwashed into investing their time, money and attention on a man who lacked sympathy and who sexually exploited the women and treated them worse than dogs. Burchard blindly follows this ruthless mentor until she befriends Carlone who finally helps her find a way to break out of the bandages that held onto her for so long.
What I love most about this book is the fact that it has a co-author. I believe that the two the voices of both Burchard and Carlone compliment each other well. Although Burchard's testimony alone would have probably been enough and would have just played out fine without Carlone's, I strongly believe that Carlone's contribution to the story was necessary as it appears to be a metaphoric reminder for the readers that ; we all need a helping hand or a friend for support. Since Burchard had already figured out on her own that the sessions of Sharkman were poisoning and draining out her life, she just needed someone to shine and illuminate the path that would set her free. She needed a leaning shoulder for support and that is exactly what Carlone's friendship was for her. I believe that Carlone's voice is a reminder that although we are strong on our own, we all need a helping hand every once in a while.
What I did not like about this book was the repetitiveness surrounding the circumstances in Burchard's life before and during her years in the cult. She just seemed to be going through the same challenges over the years that her life just seemed to be going in circles. I even got to the point were I was tempted to quit reading because it sort of became a little boring. I also failed to understand why after she discovered how ruthless and evil Sharkman was and she started hating and despising going to sessions, she still continued to waste her money and time, she continuosly let her body to be used and continued to go even when she knew that nothing good was going to come out of it. It seems to me that she did it more out of obsession for the man than fear of him. It was also so sad to discover that although the women who were part of the cult were all educated and intelligent, their emotional vulnerability and yearning for approval and acceptance from Sharkman has turned them into brainless victims who hang on his every word. I find this quiet disturbing because I believe that is a very bad and negative representation of women.
This book is very well written, perfectly and well organised .It is properly edited and flawless, therefore I rate it 4 out of 4 stars . This book is suitable for anyone who believe that they are in a poisonous relationship and they are struggling to find a way out. I would also recommend it to anyone who would like to know more about cult involvement , brainwashing and mind-control.
******
The Cult Next Door
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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4 out of 4 stars
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The Cult Next Door ; A Manhattan Memoir by Elizabeth R. Burchard and Judith L. Carlone
The Cult Next Door is a biography of Elizabeth Burchard. This testimonial story is co-authored by her close friend Judith Carlone. This book is based on a description of true life events based on the life of Burchard. It recounts the journey of Burchard from a very young age as an emotionally and mentally scared young girl who seeks refuge and acceptance in a Biofeedback technician and stress reduction specialist Gorge Sharkman. It describes how Burchard, under the leadership of her mentor Sharkman devoted many years of her youth in a cult that did her more harm than good.
Having lost her father at a very young age, Burchard was left in the care of her mother Rachel, a "socially defiant" woman who continously criticises her own daughter and mercilessly humiliates her in public. During her freshman year of college, her mother invited her to attend a Biofeedback session under the guidance of a technician and stress reduction expert Sharkman. As time went by, Burchard gets swept away by her new mentor's words of wisdom and his revelation about the great enlightenment and glorious future that he predicts through what he refers to as "the energy". Burchard sees these sessions as a window of opportunity for her to find a sense of purpose and boost her self-esteem.
Burchard and her mother eventually decided to invite him to do his sessions at their home after his boss kicks him to the curb. With their help, Sharkman eventually manages to get a group of devoted followers under his wing. For nearly twenty years, Burchard and the rest of the followers embark on what they believe to be a Journey to self discovery and freedom under the leadership of a mentor who was more interested in exhausting their pockets and fulfilling his personal desires. Burchard and the gang were brainwashed into investing their time, money and attention on a man who lacked sympathy and who sexually exploited the women and treated them worse than dogs. Burchard blindly follows this ruthless mentor until she befriends Carlone who finally helps her find a way to break out of the bandages that held onto her for so long.
What I love most about this book is the fact that it has a co-author. I believe that the two the voices of both Burchard and Carlone compliment each other well. Although Burchard's testimony alone would have probably been enough and would have just played out fine without Carlone's, I strongly believe that Carlone's contribution to the story was necessary as it appears to be a metaphoric reminder for the readers that ; we all need a helping hand or a friend for support. Since Burchard had already figured out on her own that the sessions of Sharkman were poisoning and draining out her life, she just needed someone to shine and illuminate the path that would set her free. She needed a leaning shoulder for support and that is exactly what Carlone's friendship was for her. I believe that Carlone's voice is a reminder that although we are strong on our own, we all need a helping hand every once in a while.
What I did not like about this book was the repetitiveness surrounding the circumstances in Burchard's life before and during her years in the cult. She just seemed to be going through the same challenges over the years that her life just seemed to be going in circles. I even got to the point were I was tempted to quit reading because it sort of became a little boring. I also failed to understand why after she discovered how ruthless and evil Sharkman was and she started hating and despising going to sessions, she still continued to waste her money and time, she continuosly let her body to be used and continued to go even when she knew that nothing good was going to come out of it. It seems to me that she did it more out of obsession for the man than fear of him. It was also so sad to discover that although the women who were part of the cult were all educated and intelligent, their emotional vulnerability and yearning for approval and acceptance from Sharkman has turned them into brainless victims who hang on his every word. I find this quiet disturbing because I believe that is a very bad and negative representation of women.
This book is very well written, perfectly and well organised .It is properly edited and flawless, therefore I rate it 4 out of 4 stars . This book is suitable for anyone who believe that they are in a poisonous relationship and they are struggling to find a way out. I would also recommend it to anyone who would like to know more about cult involvement , brainwashing and mind-control.
******
The Cult Next Door
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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