Reviews tagging 'Bullying'

Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell

39 reviews

parkerluck's review against another edition

funny informative fast-paced

3.75

I enjoyed the first half of this book, which discussed literal cults (Jonestown, Heavens Gate) and the use of indoctrinating language the most. These sections were well researched, empathetic, and had a bigger focus on the actual linguistics at work (which is what I signed up for). I appreciated the grounded way these groups and members were discussed, since I always find the sensationalized gossipy way we tend to talk about cults/true crime exploitative and patronizing. 

The shift to modern groups lost me a little, especially since the author seemed to fall back on just... giving examples of language (ie: here's a fitness slogan!) without much analysis. I read another review that pointed out how skewed these sections were towards women-dominated spheres (or at that the author equated with women) like yoga, wellness influencers, etc. which I also noticed. There was almost a condescending tone to these portions, and we spent a lot of time talking about things/women the author finds cringy (we get it, you live in LA! Lots of yoga studios! Lululemon!) vs. dangerous groups that are a lot more cult-adjacent (QAnon, Incel culture etc). The conspiracy theory stuff in particular felt extremely surface level and tacked on after spending so long on the fitness and wellness sphere. 

I did find the comparisons between cult language/beliefs and early Protestantism, (and how those are baked into American culture) quite interesting! The section connecting the dots between that belief system, MLMs, and American politics was also a very informative ride for me personally.  

Overall, the book is at its best when actually focusing on real cults, language and what makes people susceptible to indoctrination. The more "formal" aspects are much more engaging, and I wish we had gotten a bit more of an in depth linguistic examination. I understand the temptation to write for a more general, pop culture obsessed audience, but it ended up losing focus and spinning out on that effort. 

Would still recommend, especially to people looking for a quick and accessible intro to these topics. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Classism, Cultural appropriation, Body shaming, Suicide, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Racism

graceesford's review against another edition

dark funny informative fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Cultural appropriation, Death, Child abuse, Colonisation, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Homophobia, Bullying, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Mental illness, and Misogyny

narpetcards's review against another edition

informative medium-paced

4.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Gaslighting and Bullying

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Racism, and Suicide

dracovulpini's review against another edition

challenging informative lighthearted fast-paced

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism, Sexual harassment, Suicide, Violence, Bullying, Self harm, Death, and Emotional abuse

clawsandjaws's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

Cults have been an interest of mine. I've listened to podcasts that are geared towards true crime that have done research about the events. Very few that I've heard focused on the mentality and the loaded language and the thought terminating cliches that Amanda Montell sheds light on. 

With cited sources and plenty of references that allow insight to the thoughts that celebrities, scientists, politicians, etc. subscribe to. 

This book ultimately is more of a reminder that language is a powerful tool and it's within the best interest of everyone to pay closer attention to the way language is used today. Especially today. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting and Bullying

Moderate: Body shaming, Death, Suicide, Classism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Violence, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Fatphobia, Eating disorder, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, and Racism

bandysbooks's review against another edition

challenging informative fast-paced

5.0

Cultish is a non-fiction book that discusses the language of fanaticism and when it veers into dangerous territory. This was very insightful and informative. 

I appreciate that the author’s tone is thoughtful. She doesn’t demean or insult people who have been taken in by cults. She only explains how it happens. 

I also really liked how she discussed fanaticism for workout programs, multi-level marketing, and more versus the traditional religious cult. There was a lot of nuance provided.

All in all, a great book to help you analyze your thinking and understanding toxic group think.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Addiction, Bullying, and Classism

kerttuli's review against another edition

dark informative reflective medium-paced

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Death, and Violence

Moderate: Murder, Toxic relationship, Body shaming, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Racism, Religious bigotry, and Cultural appropriation

Minor: Mental illness and Bullying

elspeth_h's review against another edition

informative reflective medium-paced

3.5

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Content Warnings

Minor: Ableism, Bullying, Body shaming, Cultural appropriation, Suicide, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Self harm, Murder, and Emotional abuse

As this book details the harm that cults and cult-adjacent groups have on their members, it covers a lot of sensitive topics. A section is devoted to suicide cults including Jonestown and Heavens Gate. The bullying, abuse, body shaming, etc. comes from quotations of cult leaders and wellness/fitness leaders (e.g. soulcycle).

toofondofbooks_'s review against another edition

dark informative slow-paced

5.0

This is a solid nonfiction book that is an examination of different types of cults within our society and how those who lead them use language to manipulate their followers. On the other hand, this book is also about how many of us have already fallen into cultish groups/dynamics. The inside flap reads, "We secretly want to know, 'could it happen to me?' Amanda Montell's argument is that on some level, it already has." From Instagram to Heaven's Gate, Montell describes cults and cult victims with both sensitivity and great intelligence.

I really enjoyed this one. It read easily for a nonfiction. I feel like even if you aren't a nonfiction person, you might like this. Anyone who has spent any time immersed in internet culture, interested in true crime, language, and obviously, cults will find something for them within these pages. I don't really have anything smart to say about it other than I really liked it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Homophobia, Bullying, Pedophilia, Gaslighting, Suicide, Violence, Mental illness, Murder, Religious bigotry, Child abuse, Rape, Cultural appropriation, Abandonment, Fatphobia, Eating disorder, and Racism

Moderate: War, Cancer, Medical trauma, Car accident, Drug use, Miscarriage, Vomit, and Medical content

Minor: Stalking, Addiction, and Excrement

dealingwithdragons's review against another edition

challenging dark informative mysterious reflective medium-paced

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Bullying, Child death, Child abuse, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Fatphobia, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Eating disorder, Sexual assault, Ableism, Body shaming, Classism, and Cursing

Minor: Abortion, Addiction, Cancer, Confinement, Stalking, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Vomit, Alcohol, Homophobia, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Racism, and Trafficking

Cults and "cultish" organizations do a lot of terrible things.