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cady_sass's review against another edition
5.0
In all seriousness this is EXPERTLY done and I’m blown away. I’ve always been drawn to cult history and I really, really appreciate the work the author did here to include “cultish” behavior (hence, the title) of non cult entities- MLMs, fitness & CrossFit culture, MAGA, etc.- along with the obvious identifiable cults like Jonestown, Heavens Gate, and Nxivm, among others.
Super important to give language to the behaviors and vernacular that are big red flags 🚩 so people can engage carefully and make informed decisions. Highly, highly recommend.
Graphic: Child abuse, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Ableism, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Drug use, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicide, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Chronic illness, Sexism, Classism, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, Racism, Sexual harassment, and Suicide attempt
rionstorm's review against another edition
4.25
I liked that the author explored a wide range of groups, from the types of groups that would traditionally be seen as cults, to new age social media healers, MLMs, and conspiracy theory communities like QAnon, as it was really fascinating to see the same core linguistic and persuasive principals being applied in such different scenarios.
They look at both the positive and negative aspects of tight knit cultish groups, and consistently invite the reader to remain empathetic about to the factors that lead people to become part of these groups, without excusing any harmful behavior or views.
Graphic: Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, and Suicide
Moderate: Antisemitism, Cultural appropriation, Sexual violence, Body shaming, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Pedophilia, Cancer, Racism, and Vomit
nadia's review against another edition
4.0
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!
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Sexual assault, Racism, Sexism, and Gaslighting
Minor: Death
amsswim's review against another edition
4.0
Moderate: Gaslighting, Suicide, Death, Murder, Physical abuse, Racism, Cultural appropriation, Child death, Emotional abuse, and Violence
siebensommer's review against another edition
3.75
the conditioning to automatically trust the voices of middle-aged white men. Over the centuries, we've been primed to believe that the sound of a Jim Jones-type voice communicates an innate power and capability — that it sounds like the voice of God.
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Torture, Violence, Religious bigotry, Cultural appropriation, Body horror, Physical abuse, Racism, Suicide, and Sexism
lizjellig's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Fatphobia, Racism, and Child death
Minor: Sexual violence
casually_booking's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Body shaming, Gaslighting, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Violence, Suicide attempt, Addiction, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Cursing, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, and Racism
seanml's review against another edition
4.0
Moderate: Death, Gaslighting, Bullying, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Murder, Religious bigotry, Toxic relationship, Classism, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Racism, Sexual assault, Cancer, Gun violence, Self harm, and Suicide
butlerebecca's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Death, Religious bigotry, Suicide, Murder, and Genocide
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Racism, Alcoholism, Addiction, and Trafficking
ramhog's review against another edition
4.5
Moderate: Racism, Addiction, Emotional abuse, Eating disorder, Gaslighting, Bullying, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Homophobia, Murder, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Suicide, Mental illness, and Misogyny
Since this is all about various cults and their abuses I'm sure I missed some warnings. From my memory none of the descriptions longer, but it does deal head on with dark themes.