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laura_awkward_fox's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Death and Cursing
Moderate: Genocide, Murder, and Death
apoppyinthewind's review against another edition
3.5
Also, the audiobook highlights the "More on that later" pattern that other reviewers have pointed out which became irritating.
Aside from those issues though, it was a fascinating look into the word cult, what we generally know/think about cults, and how language evolves around cults. There were a few personal anecdotes which I found interesting though I could see them being off-putting if you were looking for a more academic-style text.
One element I especially appreciated was the way Montell tried to destigmatize the way folks are drawn into cults, and any scorn in the book was aimed at the manipulative cult leaders, not the ones who were drawn into cultish groups.
Graphic: Murder, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Bullying, and Death
Moderate: Child abuse, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Body shaming
Minor: Addiction and Alcoholism
stardustdreamer's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Classism, and Murder
Moderate: Child death, Suicide, and Racism
saucy_bookdragon's review against another edition
3.5
Sections 4-5 were disappointing though, dealing with MLMs (the pyramid schemes kind not the gay kind) and fitness programs. They spent the whole time justifying why these groups are cultish and so mainly applied the information discussed in the first half, which made it redundant and the authors arguments felt like reaches at times, she even admits at the end of chapter five that fitness programs aren't really a concern. This would've been stronger if it focused specifically on religious cults and then made quick comparisons to how the methods apply to non-cult groups, or maybe if it had been one chapter about cultish groups.
The last section is a return to form as it discusses New Age and conspiracy theory internet personalities. These are much closer to traditional cults and its a fascinating discussion on how these groups form with the internet. It made me wish that the non-cult sections had been cut/condensed and the book could've expanded more on actual cults, especially since there were a lot of examples mentioned that could have used expanding on.
Also, it seems odd that since the doors were opened for cult-like groups that there wasn't any discussion of celebrity fandoms. They're mentioned maybe twice but never expanded on or explained. I mean they're groups of people extremely devoted to one person/a group of people who have their own distinct language, in jokes, and culture. Their beliefs are often near religious and the lore they create is often intricate and a mythology around the person. I think especially Swifties, kpop stans, and Beatlemania would be interesting to study.
Cultish is overall an interesting introduction to the role language plays in cults and thought provoking, though it could have used more focus and more examples.
Graphic: Murder, Suicide, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Gun violence and Rape
jtpgdavey's review against another edition
3.0
Moderate: Suicide, Bullying, Murder, and Gaslighting
mi7sma's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Cultural appropriation, Murder, Emotional abuse, and Genocide
Moderate: Confinement, Fatphobia, Physical abuse, Cursing, Mental illness, Sexual content, Body shaming, Bullying, Classism, Gaslighting, and Racism
mengzhenreads's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, and Suicide
Moderate: Death and Murder
Minor: Sexual assault
zosiablue's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Gaslighting, Cultural appropriation, Murder, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Mental illness, Classism, Child death, Drug use, Kidnapping, and Suicide
backyardroses's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Murder
bashsbooks's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Violence, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Toxic friendship, Suicide, Murder, Religious bigotry, Racism, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Death, and Child death
Moderate: Antisemitism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Child abuse, and Addiction
Minor: Adult/minor relationship