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unluckycat13's review against another edition
4.0
I'm unsure what people want in regards to intersectionality. You could probably go into depth in a lot of topics, but the author does talk about a lot of things that affect minorities of all sorts even when she's not directly shouting that group out. She does directly shout out minority groups often though.
Moderate: Sexual violence, Racism, Sexual harassment, Ableism, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Addiction, Suicide, Rape, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Self harm, and Body shaming
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
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
divine529's review against another edition
That said, tread lightly if you have triggers as this book deals with heavy and difficult topics at times.
I highly recommend this to everyone.
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Addiction, Body shaming, Murder, Racism, Confinement, Pedophilia, and Sexual assault
brindolyn's review against another edition
4.25
Minor: Addiction, Mental illness, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, and Suicide
cady_sass's review
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
snd1101's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Death, Gaslighting, and Suicide
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Addiction, Child abuse, Cultural appropriation, and Misogyny
casually_booking's review
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
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
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.