Reviews tagging 'Death'

Cultos by Amanda Montell

122 reviews

jes312's review against another edition

informative medium-paced

3.0

Definitely interesting. I wish it had been organized differently; sometimes the description of a cult or cult-like organization came a couple chapters after it was referenced. Each chapter could have been its own book. In some sections, the linguistics elements felt like more of an afterthought because so much page was spent on background.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Suicide, Death, Violence, and Bullying

mandkips's review against another edition

informative reflective slow-paced

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Gaslighting, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Death, Sexual assault, and Murder

nadia's review against another edition

informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

If you're curious in cults at all — how they come to be, how to spot them, how anyone ever gets sucked into them ("They must not be smart, could never be me...")... — then this is a must-read!

I really liked how Cultish was packed with research but also featured a lot of personal anecdotes, both from the author and people she interviewed. I also loved how we spanned many different types of "cult", including instances that several of us experience day-to-day, and the focus on language was fascinating.

I've got lots to go away and think about, and look out for (👀), now! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse

Moderate: Sexual assault, Racism, Sexism, and Gaslighting

Minor: Death

scherbs's review against another edition

emotional funny informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Suicide

Moderate: Murder, Sexual assault, and Death

louisegraveyard's review against another edition

challenging dark funny informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Cursing, Child death, Murder, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Cancer, and Chronic illness

amsswim's review against another edition

hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

I really enjoyed this book. Would recommend to all who like white collar crime, cults, and pyramid schemes. I picked this up because I also listen to Amanda's podcast "Sounds Like a Cult" which does smaller episodic takes of some of what she covered, more focused on everyday "cults". This did a great deep dive into separate topics, that all use the same tactics in reeling people in. Highly recommend!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Gaslighting, Suicide, Death, Murder, Physical abuse, Racism, Cultural appropriation, Child death, Emotional abuse, and Violence

snd1101's review against another edition

informative reflective medium-paced

3.0

Reads like a memoir; would like more credible evidence and analysis; if you’re conversant in linguistics, you’re not the target audience. A good splashy introduction with broad coverage of several USian cults and cultlike practices (which i liked having the coverage of!), but go elsewhere if you’re looking for substance.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gaslighting, and Suicide

Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Addiction, Child abuse, Cultural appropriation, and Misogyny

inthemoonlight's review against another edition

informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

genuinely one of the best books i've ever read. i find myself thinking about it far after i've finished it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gaslighting, Murder, and Suicide

madmaura's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective slow-paced

4.5

A fascinating book about cults and what defines or makes up a cult. Serious content delivered in an engaging manner. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Violence and Death

There are descriptions of mass tragedies that occurred within cults but all is generally known situations

thebookpaiges's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Murder, Suicide, and Homophobia

Moderate: Sexual assault and Adult/minor relationship

Minor: Vomit