Neighbors

As most people ‘of an age’ already know, Neighbors, the 1981 film is based on the 1980 book, by longtime writer and author, Thomas Berger. Berger is also the author of the bestselling novel, Little Big Man which later became a film starring Dustin Hoffman. 

And both the film version of Neighbors, and the book are hilarious. 

I had seen the film years ago, back in 1981, when I was fifteen, and several times after that, but I didn’t know until recently that the film was based on a prior book. So, after recently watching the film again, free on… show more.

I found this book deeply disturbing, despite the seemingly normal content of the story.

Like the protagonist, I could never tell what was real, what was paranoia, and what the hell might happen next. We’re inside the head of a confused, scared man dealing with disturbed characters who hide in plain sight as mere neighbors. I relate to this, as does the protagonist in my book.

Decades ago, I was seduced by a guru to become the first disciple of a small, relatively benign cult. Serving as an assistant guru of sorts—manning a branch office of our organization, so to… show more.