Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell

40 reviews

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.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, and Trafficking

Minor: Emotional abuse, Pandemic/Epidemic, Police brutality, Sexual harassment, Abortion, Misogyny, Antisemitism, Classism, Cultural appropriation, and Suicide

growintogardens's review against another edition

medium-paced

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide

Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Death, Toxic relationship, Violence, Child death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Murder, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Toxic friendship

sholtie's review against another edition

funny informative medium-paced

5.0

 Not capitalism exploiting our basic human desire for community.... damn 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide and Trafficking

Minor: Sexual violence

victoria_plural's review

informative medium-paced

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Death, Suicide, and Sexual violence

readwithev's review against another edition

informative reflective medium-paced

4.25

My only (very minor) complaint is that I wish there were more first hand accounts/interview snippets. I appreciated the informative, introspective, and curious approach while maintaining and understanding and empathic tone. The book is informative without sounding repetitive or preachy. I also liked that Montell researches “cult-like” language in non-violent spaces like MLMs and fitness clubs. They explain how ”cultish” language can build strong community and emotional connection in a digestible way. (Honestly I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who thought SoulCycle has a weird ring to it). 

⚠️Trigger warning ⚠️ Montell does discuss violent dangerous cults that participate(ed) in emotional, physical and/or psychological abuse.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Cultural appropriation, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, and Adult/minor relationship

Minor: Physical abuse, Vomit, Misogyny, Alcohol, Drug use, and Gaslighting

cpsawcd's review against another edition

funny informative medium-paced

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Religious bigotry, Sexual violence, Cultural appropriation, and Rape

unluckycat13's review against another edition

informative medium-paced

4.0

This is not a true crime book, this is a sociological look at how cults and the rhetorical/linguistic techniques affect the average things in life; and when it becomes a problem. 

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.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual violence, Racism, Sexual harassment, Ableism, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Addiction, Suicide, Rape, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Self harm, and Body shaming

courto875's review against another edition

dark informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Mass/school shootings, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, Body shaming, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Suicide, Cultural appropriation, Death, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Physical abuse

lazers28's review

informative medium-paced

4.5

As a person who has been involved in 4 groups named in this book I found this to be an accurate, thoughtful and thought provoking book. I appreciate the balanced look at what "cultish means all along it's spectrum and the focus on the HOW these groups work. Knowing the techniques can help you notice red flags and make an informed choice on how and where you participate in groups. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood and Violence

Moderate: Sexual violence, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, and Suicide

bashsbooks's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

4.25

This is an extremely cool linguistic exploration on how language impacts how people decided to join and stay in manipulative groups (broadly termed 'cultish'). From murder-suicides like Jonestown and Heaven's Gate to MLMs to fitness groups like Soul Cycle, the spectrum is wide, but Montell convincing demonstrates on how all these groups employ similar rhetorical strats to recruit people.  

---

Content Warnings

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