Reviews tagging 'Sexual assault'

Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell

77 reviews

aliciaofalaska's review against another edition

informative mysterious medium-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Torture

divine529's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

Cults are something I've been finding myself fascinated by more and more lately, especially given how much we hear about them on a regular basis. This is an absolutely fantastic book and a topic I've been interested in for awhile - language. This book really opened my eyes to a variety of things, expanded upon things I've believed, learned about and understood for awhile, and allowed me to view choices and experiences I've made and had in a different way. 

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. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Suicide, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Addiction, Body shaming, Murder, Racism, Confinement, Pedophilia, and Sexual assault

remimicha's review

funny hopeful informative lighthearted mysterious reflective fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic, Gaslighting, Murder, Mental illness, Homophobia, Violence, Sexual violence, Religious bigotry, Racism, Suicide, Sexual assault, Pedophilia, and Fatphobia

trippyotter's review against another edition

informative medium-paced

4.0

This book... I knew about several of the things mentioned, but the few I didn't, yikes...

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Toxic friendship, Rape, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Sexual violence, Alcoholism, Classism, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, and Religious bigotry

abbyschafer's review against another edition

informative medium-paced

4.5

Before reading this my only knowledge of cults was 19 Kids and Counting + general common knowledge facts; Cultish has opened my eyes to an interesting history and current state of Cults in western culture. I especially appreciated the author’s tie of cultish language to MLM and “cult” fitness. Cultish is a great, easy non fiction read for anyone even vaguely interested in cults or the use of language for power/ persuasion.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide

Minor: Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, and Rape

gardens_and_dragons's review against another edition

informative reflective fast-paced

3.5

I thought this was a fairly entertaining and informative book about cult like language is created, used, and is pervasive in things not traditionally thought of as cults. 

I think overall, it could have been stronger. I thought that each chapter kind of ended just as I thought it was starting to get juicy. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Sexual assault, Cultural appropriation, and Murder

angreadseverything's review

funny informative lighthearted medium-paced

3.0

I think it could have been organized better overall

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Suicide

Moderate: Confinement, Sexual assault, and Child death

cady_sass's review

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

I don’t know who needs to hear this, but don’t join that MLM. 

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.

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Content Warnings

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

renee_rain's review

informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

Cultish is a wonderful book about the language used in cults.

The word "cult" does not have a specific definition. Anything can be a cult from Starbucks to Heaven's Gate. Since reading, I have seen cultish language everywhere from Trader Joe's to my workplace.

The downside of this novel? I want so much more! Luckily, the author has a podcast, Sounds like a Cult.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Toxic relationship and Sexual assault

Minor: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide

jes312's review

informative medium-paced

3.0

Definitely interesting. I wish it had been organized differently; sometimes the description of a cult or cult-like organization came a couple chapters after it was referenced. Each chapter could have been its own book. In some sections, the linguistics elements felt like more of an afterthought because so much page was spent on background.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Suicide, Death, Violence, and Bullying