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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
rionstorm's review
4.25
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.
Graphic: Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, and Suicide
Moderate: Antisemitism, Cultural appropriation, Sexual violence, Body shaming, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Pedophilia, Cancer, Racism, and Vomit
veelaughtland's review
4.0
Graphic: Suicide and Gaslighting
kailey_reads's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Suicide
kshertz's review
4.0
Minor: Violence, Bullying, Child death, Alcoholism, Cursing, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, and Death
jes312's review
3.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Suicide, Death, Violence, and Bullying
mandkips's review against another edition
2.75
Graphic: Suicide, Gaslighting, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death, Sexual assault, and Murder
yogomagpie's review
4.0
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
cassielaj's review
5.0
Moderate: Cursing, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Sexual violence, Xenophobia, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Violence, and Suicide
nadia's review
4.0
I really liked how Cultish was packed with research but also featured a lot of personal anecdotes, both from the author and people she interviewed. I also loved how we spanned many different types of "cult", including instances that several of us experience day-to-day, and the focus on language was fascinating.
I've got lots to go away and think about, and look out for (👀), now!
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Sexual assault, Racism, Sexism, and Gaslighting
Minor: Death