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tamara_joy's review against another edition
4.5
Moderate: Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, Racism, Classism, Cultural appropriation, Fatphobia, Confinement, and Suicide
moonyreadsbystarlight's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Suicide
Moderate: Racism, Murder, and Sexual violence
Minor: Fatphobia
meghanelizabeth's review against another edition
4.5
Moderate: Suicide, Racism, Religious bigotry, and Homophobia
eruanna317's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Suicide, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Gaslighting, Violence, Racism, Murder, Emotional abuse, and Child death
Moderate: Drug use and Adult/minor relationship
montybonty's review against another edition
4.0
Minor: Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Racism, Emotional abuse, Addiction, Classism, Antisemitism, Gaslighting, Fatphobia, Suicide attempt, Cultural appropriation, Suicide, and Drug use
parkerluck's review against another edition
3.75
The shift to modern groups lost me a little, especially since the author seemed to fall back on just... giving examples of language (ie: here's a fitness slogan!) without much analysis. I read another review that pointed out how skewed these sections were towards women-dominated spheres (or at that the author equated with women) like yoga, wellness influencers, etc. which I also noticed. There was almost a condescending tone to these portions, and we spent a lot of time talking about things/women the author finds cringy (we get it, you live in LA! Lots of yoga studios! Lululemon!) vs. dangerous groups that are a lot more cult-adjacent (QAnon, Incel culture etc). The conspiracy theory stuff in particular felt extremely surface level and tacked on after spending so long on the fitness and wellness sphere.
I did find the comparisons between cult language/beliefs and early Protestantism, (and how those are baked into American culture) quite interesting! The section connecting the dots between that belief system, MLMs, and American politics was also a very informative ride for me personally.
Overall, the book is at its best when actually focusing on real cults, language and what makes people susceptible to indoctrination. The more "formal" aspects are much more engaging, and I wish we had gotten a bit more of an in depth linguistic examination. I understand the temptation to write for a more general, pop culture obsessed audience, but it ended up losing focus and spinning out on that effort.
Would still recommend, especially to people looking for a quick and accessible intro to these topics.
Minor: Classism, Cultural appropriation, Body shaming, Suicide, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Racism
sexytinatrainconductress's review against another edition
4.75
Moderate: Murder and Suicide
Minor: Racism, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, and Sexism
laurenkimoto's review against another edition
4.0
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Suicide, Toxic friendship, Murder, Blood, Body shaming, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Racism, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Misogyny, and Suicide attempt
narpetcards's review against another edition
4.75
Moderate: Gaslighting and Bullying
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Racism, and Suicide
dracovulpini's review against another edition
3.5
Moderate: Racism, Sexual harassment, Suicide, Violence, Bullying, Self harm, Death, and Emotional abuse