Reviews tagging 'Sexual harassment'

Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell

33 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

itisnatal's review against another edition

dark informative medium-paced

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Child abuse, Alcoholism, Bullying, Suicide, Sexual harassment, Drug abuse, and Gun violence

goldkat's review

dark informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Rape, Racism, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Racial slurs

claireh6's review

informative lighthearted reflective medium-paced

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Suicide, Murder, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment

rainbopagn's review

lighthearted medium-paced

3.0

While there is something endearing about the way Montell breaks down all things “cultish,” there wasn’t anything really I didn’t already know. It was neat to hear about the origins of things like MLMs though I do think she oversimplified by describing everything cultish as a result of Protestant reforms and changes. I do recommend as an “intro” to thinking critically though. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide and Religious bigotry

Minor: Emotional abuse and Sexual harassment

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

aysha_blake's review against another edition

adventurous dark informative inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Adult/minor relationship, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Rape, Pedophilia, Religious bigotry, Racism, Misogyny, Toxic friendship, Sexual assault, and Police brutality

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

rfl_in_stl's review

informative medium-paced

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Sexual harassment, Sexism, and Suicide

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.

---

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