Cult Trip

by Anke Richter

THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER

A leading journalist's intense, riveting and personal investigation into the worlds and minds of cults.

At a new age festival in Byron Bay, Australia, German journalist Anke Richter is finding her spiritual awakening when she meets a woman – a survivor of the Centrepoint cult – who will change the course of her life and career.

Over the next ten years, Anke pursued a labyrinthine investigation into how and why cults attract, entrap and destroy otherwise ordinary people, asking what the line is between tribe and cult, participant and perpetrator, seduction and sexual abuse.

From the emotional and criminal carnage of Centrepoint in Auckland, New Zealand, to an anti-cult conference in Manchester, the infamous Osho’s ashram in India, the tantric Agama Yoga school in remote Thailand and culminating in a visit to Gloriavale on the west coast of New Zealand’s South Island, Anke uncovers a disturbing pattern of violence and suffering.

Cult Trip is a powerful exploration of what really goes on inside the groups we call cults, and how to reckon with their aftermath.

-

Praise for Cult

'A powerful must read’ Style

'Phenomenal. I cannot recommend this book enough' Today FM

'Wild stuff. Anke Richter is one of my favourite writers, blurring the line between participant and reporter' David Farrier, journalist

'What a book and what a writer! An incredibly immersive, intense and necessary reading experience put together with doggedness and skill' Noelle McCarthy, author

Painful and powerful - an eye opener, a tour de force and a call for justice' Janja Lalich, author

'Bringing together information from around the globe, Anke Richter pinpoints the internal struggles of those coming out of cults, and the debilitating harm that lingers afterwards' Rachel Bernstein

'Thorough and compassionate ... Cult Trip is a brittle, sensitive book' Steve Braunias

Genres: Nonfiction, Cults, Psychology, Religion, Audiobook, True Crime, Cult Classics

343 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2022

Reviews

[Thomas Edmund · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always down to read about cults and cult tactics, I picked this book up in my post Christmas book buy-up. I was doubly fascinated to see the focus on a couple of cults within NZ - not your usual country-of-cult expose.

The format of Cult Trip is quite personal - the author revealed as much about herself and own journey through investigating cults and own involvement with some "self-discovery" programmes/cults too. This creates quite an unusual read - its not about someone escaping a cult and/or an expert or academic history, i.e. it leaves the dramatic hard hitting stuff for the interviewees of the book, but its still an honest and genuine account from the author which was an interesting touch (although might not 100% be for everyone)

In terms of material there is a particular focus on the sexual abuse elements of cults and cultish groups which of course makes for heavy reading. The author isn't gratuitous and handles the topic with respect, while not glossing over or softening the events she recorded. Something strange I noticed is that it was the brief descriptions of people NOT keen to be interviewed, or only briefly speaking to the author to basically give them marching orders or a very quick horror story review of their life post-cult that hit the hardest.

While the format of the book is structured around the personal journey of the author finding interviewees and sources for her work, there is also considerable information about the cults investigated interwoven throughout, especially focussed on the treatment of leavers and leavers families. Also the personal stories are collecting in a way that does examine many aspects of cult-life so its not devoid of such information!

However it may be useful to note that the book is largely based on the experience of people involved in cults and doesn't necessarily provide a comprehensive examination of cult tactics or specifics of cult-like group dynamics so I wouldn't necessarily walk into this book expecting a run-down of this sort of technical information (there are plenty of books about that already do this) but rather Cult Trip provides a haunting personal tribute to many many people whose lives have been irrevocably affected by cults and/or the behaviour of people within said cults.

Despite the heavy topic, Richter's writing style is very accessible, easy to digest (again despite some of the horrible content revealed) and hard to tear one's eyes from once you pick up this book.

[Simone B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book blew me away! Well-researched with insight & compassion, it's an engaging read that sheds light on a fascinating subject. I am so impressed by the strength & resilience of all the survivors who shared their stories, and Anke for bringing it all together in such caring & personal way. Definitely one of the best books I've read this year.

[Sam (she_who_reads_) · Rating 2 out of 5]

The tone of this one was absolutely wild. I had so many issues, but quickly my main problems are;
-there are three cults talked about in here, and there is little to no talk of how they relate to each other or why these three cults are the focus of this particular book.
-there is no overall theme/topic/takeaway from this book, which means everything feels pretty surface level as we never do a deep dive into any one aspect of culture life or recovering from being a part of one.
-the author feels the need to repeatedly insert herself into the narrative. In the first section in particular, the book becomes more about how hard she personally found it to research Centrepoint and talk to survivors, rather than actually convey any of that research to the reader. It was exhausting.
-there’s weird instances of victim blaming. And explaining the “correct” way to recover from being in a cult.
-there is also this feeling that the author assumes we all know exactly who she is, and that her opinions are worth more than any others presented in here.
-there is generally no structure within each section.

Overall there just felt like a giant lack of empathy.

I have so many more complaints but I want to stop thinking about this book now

Would not recommend.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really tough one, that was almost too much for me to read. I feel sick even thinking about it, really. I think one of the worst parts about being in a cult (after waking up and getting out) would be the realization that the person in a cult often ends up as both a victim and a perpetrator (even if the coercive control caused the person to do things they otherwise never would have done were it not for being forced under the spell of some insidious person and/or ideology). There was a lot of that in this book, particularly in regard to parent/child relationships, and it was extremely awful and extremely dark. This book was, however, a very well written and documented piece of journalism for those who have an interest in studying cults and/or coercive relationshps.

[Aimee Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s an interesting read but I wasn’t hooked. The first section was the most engaging (The Lost Tribe of Albany) but I lost focus and interest from ‘Part 2’ onwards.

As soon as we were on a roll, the next chapter, the next cult was talked about, and I felt like the author just left me hanging somewhat.

Didn’t particularly enjoy reading about her personal experiences - it drifted away from learning about coercion and control as a whole.

Overall, I think it felt like as soon as we were getting somewhere, with the facts, with the details, the information just seemed to fizzle out and there was never a real ending to anything.

I wouldn’t necessarily recommend.

[Alex Sommer · Rating 5 out of 5]

An emotional read as you page through real stories of victims' experiences in Cults. Mostly written about cults in New Zealand. Richter's writing style is easy to follow and you really feel like you understand her as well.

[Heather Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very painful but powerful study of three very different but similar cults. First Centrepoint in Auckland New Zealand, then the Agama Tantric Yoga sect in Koh Phangan Thailand, and thirdly, Gloriavale also in New Zealand. These three cults couldn’t be more different on first observation, but on digging into them, Anke Richter uncovers the same misogyny and diabolical abuse of women and girls, young and old, and to be fair to a much lesser degree, men and boys. The sexual abuse in all 3 cults is very similar. Corrupt misogynistic leaders who have total control. It is a deep and frightening thread running rampantly through all three, which very nearly destroyed the author. Her determined investigations, against threats and intimidation is amazing, and inspirational. It was very hard to read some of it, but I’m so glad I did and I take my hat off to the author.

[Luke DL Monahan · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book was unreadable due to the narcissistic writing style of the author who cares more for her imagine that those that suffered. It’s hard to take a book seriously when the author is trying to impress the reader with her time spent in the Berlin nightclubs surrounded by oil covered play fights to then bluntly switch to child sex abuse within a paragraph.

[Tom J · Rating 1 out of 5]

good lord this is bad.

there are two books here. one is a well written, interesting look at two cults in new zealand; centrepoint and gloriavale. the author gets a lot of access, tells the stories of survivors and generally provides a cogent, useful look into the cults. this book is probably a 4/5

unfortunately the other book is a bloviating, nauseating journey of painful naivety, where the author wanders around the world vicariously triggering cult survivors while she fatuously swans about in various ashrams or "spiritual" spaces. this is what i will mostly be discussing here.

richter is kind of the proto-boomer, someone who has been showered with frankly incredible levels of personal wealth and opportunity, and who somehow has the gall to act as though this unreachable level of material prosperity leaves her with some kind of spiritual deficit. the entire book resonates with a frankly pathetic desire to be emotionally manipulated by various gurus and to experience some kind of meaningful spiritual moment, and it is genuinely intolerable to read when it's sandwiched between gut-wrenching stories of people being destroyed by the exact thing she's seeking.

imagine reading a book about problem gambling, with two different stories about how it destroyed the lives of families, caused lasting intergenerational harm and how the people taking the bets get off scot free while vastly enriching themselves. then imagine that between the two stories, the author discusses how she loves to go gambling and goes gambling in germany and thailand and australia, searching out all kinds of gambling because she LOVES GAMBLING AND CANNOT STOP GAMBLING. that's what this book is, and it is absolutely galling to read. surely even a fucking scintilla of decorum would make you think "i should not parade my banal attempts to feel spirituality because my life is empty in front of people who are literally dying because of it", but i do not think richter is capable of this level of self reflection

this horrific level of self insertion runs throughout the entire book and infects even the good parts. an otherwise interesting discussion of how neo-tantric cults manipulate people takes a second to mention that they're bad in part because "they are breaking the connection with the hundreds of years old practices of tantra". it's bizarre and infuriating that richter seems to genuinely believe that in the past things were universally pure and better, and that the people who invented the tantras initially were somehow free of the modern evil that makes neo-tantra a cult. all religion is social control! you just weren't around when the tantras were invented!

this bizarre credulity extends to topics that the author should be far more sceptical of. she sits in on a few cult meetings and criticises them in part because someone wants to reach a higher "yogic level" and the sexualised offerings of the cult weren't the way to get there. i don't know how to tell an adult this in 2025, but there is no such thing as a "yogic level" and the fact that you can't recognise that you're a pot calling the kettle black completely disqualifies you from talking about this topic seriously. how can i take your critique of a cult seriously when you believe the exact same things but in a different font?

the end of the book dips into the hippie reaction to covid in new zealand, and the author seems genuinely shocked that a group of people defined by their irrational position on spirituality act in an irrational way. "i don't recognise this community" she says, watching the community behave entirely consistently with its beliefs. "a woman who gave me a spiritual cleansing said the government is trying to kill us with vaccines" she cries, somehow missing that anyone who genuinely believes that they are capable of a "spiritual cleansing" is already deeply detached from reality. it's like she was about to release the book and thought "oh christ i don't want to be associated with these people" and had to hurriedly tack a chapter on to the end.

the book is, overall, an incredible indictment of the self interested and deeply idiotic state of the "spiritual" community. a group of people wandering from grifter to grifter, incapable of any kind of self-motivated action that isn't okayed by some appropriately vedic or ancient text. the author, being one of these people, has somehow failed to notice that what she's written is a polemic about the state of modern spirituality and how brutally stupid you need to be to genuinely engage with it. there is a clear theme running through this book; if you join any of these groups you are going to be manipulated to some extent, and always to your own detriment. the people running them are at best ignorant and are usually deeply evil. every single time she goes to some spirituality thing she runs into one of the following (or multiple):

- people who are out and out child abusers
- apologists for the above
- hardcore misogynists

and yet there is no attempt to draw this into a single coherent point, because that would show that the thing that richter has spent a large portion of her life (and tens of thousands of dollars, by her own admission) chasing something that not only isn't real, but which is actively harmful to hundreds of thousands of people. instead we get some vague waffle about facebook, qanon and then the book ends. pathetic

[Tim Mathis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew, this book is really good and really heavy. It’s told in a really readable narrative style as the author investigates, visits, and reckons with three different cult groups. Sex and sexual trauma is a common denominator and it makes for some really heavy reading the entire way through. It’s clearly a hard journey for the author to move through, particularly since she’d been involved with groups and practices that she began to see as abusive or damaging in the process of writing.

The book reminded me of Salvation on Sand Mountain by Dennis Covington - another bit of investigative/immersive journalism about a cult group written by someone with some direct connections.

Both of these books are difficult reads but also really insightful introductions to what drives people into these situations and keeps them from leaving even after things go very wrong.

Super interesting, and very readable, but give yourself the emotional space to process.

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part 1 about Centrepoint was fascinating and I couldn’t put the book down, although it felt as though there was no clear conclusion to this part. The following parts seemed to run out of steam, jump around a lot and not have the same hooking storytelling that was present in the first part. However I really enjoyed learning more about these cults and understanding the psychology behind them, I’m definitely going to do some of my own research into centrepoint.

[Vera Naamani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was an interesting book, nice to learn a bit more about New Zealand-cults. Some parts were a bit hard to read, but that is understandable due to the subject matter. Nice book, didn’t blow me away.

[Lucy Col · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found this educational and interesting as it focussed on two NZ cults. Enjoyed but didn’t find myself sucked into a page turner.
Always good to be reminded you’re never too smart for a cult.

[Rebecca Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't like it when the author inserts themselves into the narrative and Anke does it a lot!

[Talitha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is broken up into three sections. Each one contains an investigation into a different cult, and compiles an account from several different survivors - sometimes even perpetrators. The three cults that are looked into are: Centerpoint in Auckland, New Zealand, Agama in Thailand, and Gloriavale in Christchurch, New Zealand.

It’s a disturbing read that doesn’t shy away from describing the atrocities that happen within these cults. It’s sometimes deeply distressing to read about, but while the content was heavy I read it fairly quickly. I was both fascinated and disgusted by how these communities are able to even establish themselves and have so many loyal followers. It was hard for me to just read about the accounts of sexual abuse, let alone the unbearable trauma and pain that the survivors have to grapple with after dealing with these things first hand.

On the surface the three cults are quite different from each other, but as you read on its glaringly obvious that the thing they have most in common, is a strong undercurrent of misogynistic attitudes. These attitudes run so deep and lead to rape culture and various forms of control and abuse.

The author is a journalist whose writing style is direct and fast moving. I found it interesting to hear along the way what she experienced in uncovering these stories. I liked hearing her journey as well, as she spoke to victims and visited the sites where these cults resided. It was also insightful to hear from her own experiences in attending spiritual events and workshops. Because of her own desire to be more enlightened, she realised along the way that sometimes she had trusted the event leaders and teachings far too willingly. This was a good reminder to be more discerning when getting involved with new groups or communities that have religious or spiritual undertones.

The only thing I would critique is that there wasn’t a deeper dive into the aspects of coercion and control that I was most interested to read about. I finished the book feeling as though there was something lacking, as if more needed to be said. I would have liked if there was a segment that discussed in more depth the psychological tactics behind these cults, and how normal people - and also some very highly educated people - can be sucked in.

Having said that, hearing the survivors stories was really important. To learn what these people have been through is sickening, but sheds a much needed light on what can go on behind closed doors in these religious communities, as well as in the new age self help groups that can so easily blur the lines between spiritual enlightenment and abuse. I think it’s a reminder to be really mindful and think critically about anyone in a position of power or influence that affects your life. While some people were drawn into these communities out of desperation and a final ditch effort to get some support, others were slowly led down the garden path from normal lives, into what they thought would be a utopia or a path to personal development.

Because this book spoke to real life experiences and facts, we can’t always have the conclusion or outcome that we want. It’s obviously not a feel good book by any means, and the reality that there is evil like this in world is never pleasant to learn about. Ideally all these cults would be closed down, but that’s not happened. It’s sad, but inspiring to know that there are survivors out there who are healing and working towards abolishing these communities. Their stories of bravery will stick with me for a long time, and have given me even more compassion and understanding for those who make it out of these abusive environments.

[Nick Davies · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was slightly disappointed by this. Here Richter brings her investigative journalism to the world of cults, focussing particularly on three (a drug/sex commune, a tantric yoga retreat also with sex abuse issues, and a traditional Christian community) and the damage done. There's extensive research and interviews with survivors and accused/convicted ex-members and staff. The author immerses herself in aspects to try and get a better understanding.

It made for difficult reading - both in the sense that a lot of harrowing abuse was discussed, and in the sense that at times I found the style of the book overly anecdotal and human interest, approaching misery porn. I ended up feeling a little unhappy that there wasn't enough exploration of why these cults can turn this way, why people are drawn to them, why behaviour isn't challenged, why people don't leave etc. For all that many of those taken in by all this are innocent, for all that there has been a lot of abuse of the vulnerable, to me as someone without a New Age or religious bone in their body, I find it difficult to fully understand how some of these things can be allowed to happen, and this book didn't succeed in explaining.

[Bronte Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book Anke Richter explores three cults: The Centrepoint Cult, Various yoga-based cults, and Gloriavale.

This book was a fascinating but incredibly hard read due to just how traumatic the events described in the book are. The Author does a good job of trying to strike the right balance between condemnation of the evils of cults and compassion for those caught up in them.

The one aspect I didn't like was the author was always trying to weave in "her experience of cults" but it just felt like a bunch of threads that didn't really lead anywhere. Would have also have loved to know just how the author ended up pursuing this field of research.

[Saskia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ooof! That was a difficult read. I've always been fascinated by cults, but this book scared me with details about the depths of people's depravity. It also scared me with how easily anyone can be sucked into schemes such as this. I am heartened by the mass exodus of people from Gloriavale and the ongoing legal cases, news of which hasn't really hit the mainstream media. I am also heartened by the massive supportive efforts towards rescuing others by those who have already escaped.

Survivors of the other cults mentioned have not been so lucky with neither 'extraction' efforts nor ongoing support readily available.

Ugh. #menands*x

[Bex Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really interesting read that uncovers some truly horrifying stories from cult survivors.

It’s a tough read at times, thanks to candid way a lot of the survivors talk about their experiences. It is quite graphic in some of the descriptions of SA.

I also enjoyed the way the author talked through her turmoil with her relationship to cults, questioning whether what she’s doing it right or wrong. I personally enjoyed the fact that she spoke to both victims and perpetrators of the cults. It’s fascinating to see how they remember things so differently, and how the perpetrators justify their actions to absolve themselves of guilt.

[☽ Chaya ☾ · Rating 3 out of 5]

huge TW!!
This wasn’t what I was expecting at all. I thought it’d be more theoretical with examples and it was actually people’s direct experiences and testimonies.
This was really hard to read especially the first part. I do always think when I read about extreme abuse that while it was difficult to read, these people have actually lived through that and it’s important that their stories are heard. I don’t know whether it actually changes something but I certainly hope so. I hope it can help us recognise the signs more easily and prevent getting sucked in anything like that.

[Laura Watt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book because it was so different from what I expected. Instead of just being a book of Anke's amazing cult-based research, it takes you on her fascinating journey of how she carried out the research- including visiting certain cult communes and meeting people who share their stories. It read almost like a story. I also loved how it wasn't purely fact-driven. It was based on people's experiences of cults, and included snippets of Anke's perception and experiences also, which I know some people will really dislike in a non-fiction book but I found the personal additions to be refreshing. A really interesting read!

[Jamie Jones Hullinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very glad to have read this. While I have read many books on cults this absolutely stood out from the rest. I appreciated a focus on cults that are not necessarily mainstream. I appreciated the personal conflict the author/journalist shared as someone easily drawn into the "good" aspects that all cults possess. My reading has resulted in some contemplation and expanded appreciation for what cult followers and cult leavers go through....and the lifelong damage they are forced to carry.

[Μίλτος Τρ. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ένα ενδιαφέρον οδοιπορικό σε σακατεμένα cults σε διάφορα μέρη του κόσμου (με έμφαση στη Νέα Ζηλανδία,) με ιδιαίτερη μνεία στις πρακτικές τους που δε διαφέρουν από αυτές των οργανωμένων θρησκειών.

[Daria Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating and horrifying - the author takes us into deep dives of several different cults around the world, revealing how the construction of deliberately unequal power dynamics inevitably leads to abuse and coercion, with the heftiest price usually paid by women and children.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am ~1/3 through and taking a break from this one at least for now. I have a lot of qualms about how the author pushes her sources, particularly those who were abused as children and with her approach to some of that abuse.

[Siany Flewog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one, really thought provoking journalism.

[Lou · Rating 2 out of 5]

The cults: interesting (albeit absolutely sickening)
The victim shaming and the way the author writes: painful to read.

Don’t waste your time

[Lucille · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly not great, but that might be because I hadn’t heard of these cults before and it was set in New Zealand. The section on yoga was best. Overall, it was an extremely disturbing read.

[Jam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This whole book is a huge TRIGGER WARNING. It outlines sexual abuse in great detail. I thought it would be more about the psychological aspects of cults generally… but it was about the atrocities that occurred/are still occurring in 3 different cults reported from those with lived experience. Interesting but very heavy.

[Talia Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting investigation into one of nz’s lesser known cults. an honest but not exploitative recounting of survivors’ experiences. lost me a bit when author moved away from nz focus. most impactful when it was focussed close to home.