Review of The Cult Next Door

[Gabriela Rosales Gutierrez]

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

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5 out of 5 stars

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The Cult Next Door: A Manhattan Memoir, by Elizabeth R. Burchard and Judith L. Carlone, painfully recounts the story of Elizabeth, who spent 20 years of her life under the control of an abusive leader, with terrible psychological and financial consequences.

How does a person decide to join a cult? As this book shows, that's a trick question because no one knowingly decides that life is too boring and the only solution to all their problems is to follow an exploitative leader. In reality, it is a slow process in which a person is manipulated through their vulnerabilities.

This book left me feeling a mix of frustration and compassion. At times, I would find myself almost screaming, "Elizabeth, please, just leave." However, on the other hand, and especially because the author carefully established the context of the situation, I could see why the solution wasn't as easy as most people would think.

We, the readers, learn about Elizabeth's dysfunctional childhood and how this left her particularly vulnerable to George Sharkman's manipulation. We witness the coercive tactics, the financial abuse, and the slow process of isolating a person so they have no recourse but to depend on the cult and their leader to feel any sense of safety and belonging.

As the story progresses, George becomes increasingly violent while, at the same time, presenting himself as the only one who can "save" his followers from all their troubles. He is both the instigator of pain and the alleged salve that will bring relief, a sadistic game in which only he benefits.

The book is very well-edited, which goes to show the effort the writers put into it, so I give it a rating of 5/5. This is an extremely relevant read that, at moments, is uncomfortable, that's true. However, the reader is rewarded with valuable lessons as George's tactics are deconstructed, and we understand the inner workings of his machinations. By the time you reach the last pages, it becomes clear how the best way to resist people like him is to cultivate friendships, as well as a supportive community (even if it is a small one) that doesn't rely on one know-it-all leader but instead on mutual support.

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The Cult Next Door
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