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erachelc's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Suicide
morganeua's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
3.0
I listened to this as an audiobook, and I'm not sure I would've finished it if I read it as a physical book. Some sections felt better in audio, like my favourite portion which presents an imagined dialogue between two scientologists. The core idea at the heart of this book, that language can form bonds between people for better or worse, was interesting. Many examples in the book helped elucidate this core message and all the examples of binding language that come with it; however, I got the point pretty fast and didn't feel like I needed to read the whole book to get the experience of the book. So, my reading got slower and slower as the book went on. I still finished it, though! It was upbeat, interesting, and enjoyable!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Suicide, and Toxic relationship
erinkellyreads's review against another edition
funny
informative
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
I've been a listener of Amanda Montell's podcast "Sounds Like a Cult" that was sparked from this book for a couple of years now, so I was very excited to get my hands on the book/audiobook itself. I had previously listened to Amanda's other book, "Wordslut", which she read herself and focuses on the power of words and reclaiming words through an easy to read but well researched linguistic interest. I actually recommend reading/listening to "Wordslut" before you read/listen to "Cultish", because you'll get a better insight into the deliberate phrasing both Amanda and the various cults use to craft what they want you to understand.
"Cultish" was read by a different audiobook narrator, and I actually enjoyed that. I know Amanda's vocal/writing style from consuming her other content, so it was interesting to get another interpretation of it on top of what she wrote. The book is set up in various section with a different focus on each. Part One focuses on Amanda's thesis of the evolution from the cults of the 1900's (I cringed suuuuuuuper hard writing that, as a millennial) to the culty language of modern day fanaticism. Part Two focuses on background information on some major cults of the past such as Heaven's Gate, Jonestown, the Branch-Davidians of Waco, and even the cult that her father escaped as a young man. Part Three breaks down some more modern religious sects that could be considered culty and why - mostly through the use of language (from the in-speak of a group through even speaking in tongues). Part Four gets really interesting as it moves away from spirituality and into a somewhat new religious experience of the 2000's-2010's - fitness! From the various gurus and "gurus" of different yoga traditions to SoulCycle, Peloton, and Crossfit, Amanda digs deep into the similarities with these "lifestyle cults" to actual cult techniques. If you are a fitness buff, don't worry, she also looks at the good things that people get from their favorite fitness groups. Part Five digs into how social media has shifted and continued the use of culty language and groups with a deep dive into the Instagram Witch trend from 2018-2022 (that's the timeline I think fits best there, in my opinion). From there, we bring it all home in the conclusion.
I've always been interested in cults, how they work, and why someone would want to join one. Over the years I think I've answered those questions for myself, but I really appreciated Amanda's focus on language as uniter in these instances. Beyond that, it is very easy to see how we all use language that can sound cultish with the things we are fans of (I'm a bookstagram using Swiftie who eats a lot of Trader Joe's - I totally see it). Amanda did a fantastic job researching this book with statistics and interviews from everyone from survivors, academics, and current fanatics. I enjoyed "Wordslut" fine enough, but "Cultish" is really Amanda's best work so far. I say so far because her new book "Magic Overthinking" just came out a couple of weeks ago! That is my next read, and I'm excited to see where this goes next. 5 stars, recommended read!
"Cultish" was read by a different audiobook narrator, and I actually enjoyed that. I know Amanda's vocal/writing style from consuming her other content, so it was interesting to get another interpretation of it on top of what she wrote. The book is set up in various section with a different focus on each. Part One focuses on Amanda's thesis of the evolution from the cults of the 1900's (I cringed suuuuuuuper hard writing that, as a millennial) to the culty language of modern day fanaticism. Part Two focuses on background information on some major cults of the past such as Heaven's Gate, Jonestown, the Branch-Davidians of Waco, and even the cult that her father escaped as a young man. Part Three breaks down some more modern religious sects that could be considered culty and why - mostly through the use of language (from the in-speak of a group through even speaking in tongues). Part Four gets really interesting as it moves away from spirituality and into a somewhat new religious experience of the 2000's-2010's - fitness! From the various gurus and "gurus" of different yoga traditions to SoulCycle, Peloton, and Crossfit, Amanda digs deep into the similarities with these "lifestyle cults" to actual cult techniques. If you are a fitness buff, don't worry, she also looks at the good things that people get from their favorite fitness groups. Part Five digs into how social media has shifted and continued the use of culty language and groups with a deep dive into the Instagram Witch trend from 2018-2022 (that's the timeline I think fits best there, in my opinion). From there, we bring it all home in the conclusion.
I've always been interested in cults, how they work, and why someone would want to join one. Over the years I think I've answered those questions for myself, but I really appreciated Amanda's focus on language as uniter in these instances. Beyond that, it is very easy to see how we all use language that can sound cultish with the things we are fans of (I'm a bookstagram using Swiftie who eats a lot of Trader Joe's - I totally see it). Amanda did a fantastic job researching this book with statistics and interviews from everyone from survivors, academics, and current fanatics. I enjoyed "Wordslut" fine enough, but "Cultish" is really Amanda's best work so far. I say so far because her new book "Magic Overthinking" just came out a couple of weeks ago! That is my next read, and I'm excited to see where this goes next. 5 stars, recommended read!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Racism, Sexism, Suicide, Violence, Mass/school shootings, Gaslighting, and Classism
grace_b_3's review against another edition
This had an interesting subject matter and premise, but the writing style just did not work for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Murder
gabridelia's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
jdanby's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
2.5
I’ve listened to Montell’s podcast “Sounds Like A Cult” and between the book and the podcast, I like the podcast more.
The book just didn’t really hold my attention. I found myself spacing out quite a bit because I already knew quite a lot the info from the podcast and other documentaries.
I was also surprised that she didn’t narrate the book herself! (Not that Ann Marie Gideon isn’t good. But coming from the podcast, it was unexpected.)
The book just didn’t really hold my attention. I found myself spacing out quite a bit because I already knew quite a lot the info from the podcast and other documentaries.
I was also surprised that she didn’t narrate the book herself! (Not that Ann Marie Gideon isn’t good. But coming from the podcast, it was unexpected.)
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide
dkamada's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Fatphobia, Suicide, Violence, Religious bigotry, and Gaslighting
katie0528's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
An exploration of language. The first half discusses how cults and religious groups use language tactics like "us vs. them" language creating their own codes/abbreviations to entice followers and keep them in line. The second half focuses more on "Cultish" language in everyday life, from brands and movies with cult followings, to passionate communities like fitness clubs to social media influencers to QAnon, and how "Cultish" language can be used to build solidarity for good and for ill and ways to recognize and interrogate it.
I did listen to the audiobook and wish it was read by the author. The narrator was fine, but Amanda Montell hosts a podcast called Sounds Like a Cult, and she is so much more engaging when discussing these topics.
I did listen to the audiobook and wish it was read by the author. The narrator was fine, but Amanda Montell hosts a podcast called Sounds Like a Cult, and she is so much more engaging when discussing these topics.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry and Gaslighting
Moderate: Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Trafficking
Minor: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Suicide, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Abortion, Cultural appropriation, Sexual harassment, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
miaaa_lenaaa's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
4.5
A really interesting look into the language around cults. Looks at how cult leaders use features like thought terminating cliches, love bombing, gaslighting, acronyms(and their own glossaries both of made up words and redefined words) and us vs them language to build a following. But also how the outside world talks about cults and how they use the same us vs them language to dehumanise and essentially ridicule those who join cults instead of trying to understand their behaviour. Then goes on to talk about how other groups develop a cult like following through similar use of language even if their not a cult, from mlm schemes to fitness influencers. Looks at how people have adapted the same behaviours to be use on a different platform, allowing them to grow a following on social media.
‘Speech is the first thing we’re willing to change about ourselves and also the last thing we let go.’
‘Speech is the first thing we’re willing to change about ourselves and also the last thing we let go.’
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Suicide
erboe501's review against another edition
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
As an English lit major myself, I love how Montell argues that one of hallmarks of a cult is the language they use to manipulate, isolate, and control their followers. By emphasizing language with "thought-terminating cliches", cults can short-circuit anyone's doubts or questions. I learned that the type of person susceptible to cults is someone who is optimistic, community-focused, and a social advocate. It was thought-provoking to learn how MLM and pyramid schemes share many traits with more traditional cults as well. This is a book I'd definitely like to return to in the future to refresh the ideas.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide