The Cult (novel)
| Industry | Publishing |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Books |
The Cult is a 1978 novel authored by Max Ehrlich and released through Simon & Schuster. Marking Ehrlich's tenth literary work, the story focuses on a couple's efforts to deprogram their son after his involvement with a cult. Critical reception was mixed, with reviewers pointing out flaws in the writing style and a foreseeable storyline, although its capacity to entertain was recognized.
Plot
Jeff Reed becomes a member of the religious group Souls for Jesus (SFJ), which is headed by Reverend Buford Hodges. To retrieve Jeff, his parents engage John Morse, a deprogrammer whose own daughter died following her association with SFJ. Morse employs Chinese brainwashing methods; however, SFJ subsequently re-abducts and re-brainwashes Jeff, prompting him to file lawsuits against both his parents and Morse. The narrative culminates in a courtroom scene that reveals SFJ’s penetration into the American legal system.
Publication
Released in 1978 by Simon & Schuster, Ehrlich clarified that the depicted cult was entirely fictional and not inspired by actual events.
Reception
John Sutherland characterized The Cult as a roman à clef in his analysis. A period review from Kirkus Reviews compared SFJ to a combination of the Moonies, Hare Krishnas, and Scientologists but criticized the novel as "painfully predictable." Common critiques highlighted subpar writing quality and a lack of intellectual depth, though some acknowledged its appeal as light entertainment.
One critic remarked that the novel might provoke offense among committed Christians and members of the Unification Church, yet doubted these groups would engage with it. Others stressed that the book does not constitute an assault on religion itself. While considered engaging, the plot was also deemed foreseeable, with recommendations for readers seeking more profound understanding to consult historical records instead.