Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell

40 reviews

zpitts's review against another edition

challenging hopeful informative mysterious medium-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Violence, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Sexual violence

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

rionstorm's review

funny informative reflective medium-paced

4.25

Really cool exploration into the linguistic techniques used by cults and cultish groups, written in an simple to read, conversational way so it's easy to get through.

I liked that the author explored a wide range of groups, from the types of groups that would traditionally be seen as cults, to new age social media healers, MLMs, and conspiracy theory communities like QAnon, as it was really fascinating to see the same core linguistic and persuasive principals being applied in such different scenarios. 

They look at both the positive and negative aspects of tight knit cultish groups, and consistently invite the reader to remain empathetic about to the factors that lead people to become part of these groups, without excusing any harmful behavior or views. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, and Suicide

Moderate: Antisemitism, Cultural appropriation, Sexual violence, Body shaming, and Religious bigotry

Minor: Pedophilia, Cancer, Racism, and Vomit

cassielaj's review

challenging dark funny informative medium-paced

5.0

Absolutely fascinating! As someone who loves language and dabbles in true crime, I was so intrigued by this book that breaks down the manipulative language used in cult-like settings from Jonestown to SoulCycle. Montell makes her subjects accessible, enthralling, and a lot of fun. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cursing, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Sexual violence, Xenophobia, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Violence, and Suicide

lizjellig's review

informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide

Moderate: Fatphobia, Racism, and Child death

Minor: Sexual violence

redrosemoth's review against another edition

challenging dark funny hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Sexual violence, Gaslighting, and Gun violence

ashwaar's review

dark informative fast-paced

4.25

I don’t know much about cults, or more specifically, the role of language in manipulating people, and I think Cultish was a great starting point to be able to learn more about it. The whole book was fascinating, and like many people, I find reading about cults incredibly interesting. How one figurehead can unite and influence upwards of hundreds of people to follow them and listen to them unconditionally is just crazy.

I thought this was a really entertaining non-fiction book. It was well-balanced between factual information and anecdotes of the author’s own experiences. I thought the writing was original and sharp whilst also addressing some pretty dark topics. I also like that Montell isn’t afraid to share her opinions on cults and cult-like organisations. I enjoyed that she wasn’t impartial, and she shared how her own experiences and research impacted her thoughts.

I also thought that the focus on language was a key part of what made this book unique. I didn’t want another blow-by-blow Netflix documentary-style book about these crazy cults without exploring the origins and motivations behind them. The research that Montell and others have put into this is clear, and I mean, of course, language is a huge factor in how cults gain a following. Language is a huge factor in everything in society, and the author links this to everything from the anti-ageing industry to fitness classes. If you look for it, cultish language is all around us.

It’s a weird juxtaposition to the topic, but this was one of the most entertaining non-fiction books I’ve read recently. I learnt a lot about why some people become drawn to cults or cult-like groups and how leaders keep people in these positions through language. I also find it interesting that I’ve never seen any appeal in a cult, MLM or pyramid scheme, and this is because I’m privileged enough that I don’t need to rely on one. The characteristics of what makes people more susceptible to cult-like language were really great to learn and gain greater awareness of.

Rating: 4.25/5

Recommendations: Wordslut: A Feminist Guide to Taking Back the English Language by Amanda Montell, The Quiet Zone: Unraveling the Mystery of a Town Suspended in Silence by Stephen Kurczy

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Violence

Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual violence

lovest's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

3.75

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Content Warnings

Minor: Suicide, Violence, Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault

ramhog's review

dark funny informative fast-paced

4.5

This put into words so many conversations and thoughts I've had with my partner and friends! I don't feel like I particularly learned anything groundbreaking or new but having this exploration of the language of cults laid out so neatly and in an engaging way makes it a must-read imo. Bought at Firestorm Books.

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Content Warnings

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.