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mfrisk's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
This is a great read connecting the author’s experiences with cults and cult language to accounts from various other people and how language can be used. It does get a bit repetitive and drag towards the end but I’d still recommend it widely.
This line in particular stood out to me as poignant - “It’s in our DNA to want to believe in something, to feel something, alongside other people seeking the same.”
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, and Violence
Minor: Sexual assault
rowena0528's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This book was fantastic. Provided a great overview of cults in the past and present while showing concern for modern idolization. This book does an amazing job of showing "the grey" area of what makes something cult like, from wellness culture, "cult fitness", and far right beliefs. While exploring each topic the needed critical thinking questions needed to examine them are reiterated so that they are drilled into your brain without being intrusive.
I found this book while reading reviews for another book on modern religious movements "Strange Rites". Both of these books should be read together, as they compliment each other very well.
I found this book while reading reviews for another book on modern religious movements "Strange Rites". Both of these books should be read together, as they compliment each other very well.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide and Sexual assault
marija_m95's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
2.75
The title indicated that this books concentrates mainly on the linguistic properties of cult language which was not the case.
The first three parts (the book is divided in 6 parts) were somewhat satisfactory, and the author had some interesting views on how cultish language works to lure a person into becoming a part of a cult and also into staying in it.
But parts four, five, six felt like reading a completely different book, concentrating on MLMs, fitness groups and online communities which we can agree are "cult like" but they are not cults in the negative sense of the word associated with groups like Heaven's Gate or Jonestown. And while it was interesting to read how these groups and organisations possess cultish qualifies and cultish language it felt far too removed from the main topic.
Other downsides of reading these were the author's writing style, especially the signposting. Reading lines as "more on that later"; "we'll discuss this in part 6"; etc. creates aversion to the book and it's not something I'd like to encounter in any type of book. It would've been more suitable if this was a research paper.
Another thing was how the author was excessively present in the book and her numerous mentions of her hate towards Donald Trump felt like she was imposing her own political views upon the reader. We can agree that politicians use language to gain following and therefore a good political orator can have many similarities with a cult leader, but when only one politician is mentioned repeatedly as a bad example the book itself becomes biased.
Overall, this book felt misleading and not what I expected. While there were some interesting points to take from it, it wasn't anything groundbreaking and nothing I haven't heard of before. There was no new knowledge or perspective to be gained from this.
The first three parts (the book is divided in 6 parts) were somewhat satisfactory, and the author had some interesting views on how cultish language works to lure a person into becoming a part of a cult and also into staying in it.
But parts four, five, six felt like reading a completely different book, concentrating on MLMs, fitness groups and online communities which we can agree are "cult like" but they are not cults in the negative sense of the word associated with groups like Heaven's Gate or Jonestown. And while it was interesting to read how these groups and organisations possess cultish qualifies and cultish language it felt far too removed from the main topic.
Other downsides of reading these were the author's writing style, especially the signposting. Reading lines as "more on that later"; "we'll discuss this in part 6"; etc. creates aversion to the book and it's not something I'd like to encounter in any type of book. It would've been more suitable if this was a research paper.
Another thing was how the author was excessively present in the book and her numerous mentions of her hate towards Donald Trump felt like she was imposing her own political views upon the reader. We can agree that politicians use language to gain following and therefore a good political orator can have many similarities with a cult leader, but when only one politician is mentioned repeatedly as a bad example the book itself becomes biased.
Overall, this book felt misleading and not what I expected. While there were some interesting points to take from it, it wasn't anything groundbreaking and nothing I haven't heard of before. There was no new knowledge or perspective to be gained from this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
Moderate: Death, Grief, Gaslighting, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Sexual assault
ellenmlittle's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide, Kidnapping, and Sexual assault
hey_al's review against another edition
funny
informative
medium-paced
3.5
Loved it! If you've listened to her podcast, a lot of this might sound familiar. If not, check it out. I like that she doesn't use a judgemental tone or write off all culty behavior - it's very nuanced and we are all susceptible to it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Murder, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, and Racism
saucy_bookdragon's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
fast-paced
3.5
The first half of Cultish was really informative and interesting, dealing specifically with well known religious cults such as Jonestown and Scientology, with a specific focus on the kind of language they use. It made me realize I did not know enough about famous cults. For example, the fact Jim Jones was losing control and becoming desperate by the time he called for mass suicide or the fact Scientology has a paramilitary. The author was extremely compassionate towards victims, emphasizing the fact brainwashing does not exist and that people who join cults are not idiots.
Sections 4-5 were disappointing though, dealing with MLMs (the pyramid schemes kind not the gay kind) and fitness programs. They spent the whole time justifying why these groups are cultish and so mainly applied the information discussed in the first half, which made it redundant and the authors arguments felt like reaches at times, she even admits at the end of chapter five that fitness programs aren't really a concern. This would've been stronger if it focused specifically on religious cults and then made quick comparisons to how the methods apply to non-cult groups, or maybe if it had been one chapter about cultish groups.
The last section is a return to form as it discusses New Age and conspiracy theory internet personalities. These are much closer to traditional cults and its a fascinating discussion on how these groups form with the internet. It made me wish that the non-cult sections had been cut/condensed and the book could've expanded more on actual cults, especially since there were a lot of examples mentioned that could have used expanding on.
Also, it seems odd that since the doors were opened for cult-like groups that there wasn't any discussion of celebrity fandoms. They're mentioned maybe twice but never expanded on or explained. I mean they're groups of people extremely devoted to one person/a group of people who have their own distinct language, in jokes, and culture. Their beliefs are often near religious and the lore they create is often intricate and a mythology around the person. I think especially Swifties, kpop stans, and Beatlemania would be interesting to study.
Cultish is overall an interesting introduction to the role language plays in cults and thought provoking, though it could have used more focus and more examples.
Sections 4-5 were disappointing though, dealing with MLMs (the pyramid schemes kind not the gay kind) and fitness programs. They spent the whole time justifying why these groups are cultish and so mainly applied the information discussed in the first half, which made it redundant and the authors arguments felt like reaches at times, she even admits at the end of chapter five that fitness programs aren't really a concern. This would've been stronger if it focused specifically on religious cults and then made quick comparisons to how the methods apply to non-cult groups, or maybe if it had been one chapter about cultish groups.
The last section is a return to form as it discusses New Age and conspiracy theory internet personalities. These are much closer to traditional cults and its a fascinating discussion on how these groups form with the internet. It made me wish that the non-cult sections had been cut/condensed and the book could've expanded more on actual cults, especially since there were a lot of examples mentioned that could have used expanding on.
Also, it seems odd that since the doors were opened for cult-like groups that there wasn't any discussion of celebrity fandoms. They're mentioned maybe twice but never expanded on or explained. I mean they're groups of people extremely devoted to one person/a group of people who have their own distinct language, in jokes, and culture. Their beliefs are often near religious and the lore they create is often intricate and a mythology around the person. I think especially Swifties, kpop stans, and Beatlemania would be interesting to study.
Cultish is overall an interesting introduction to the role language plays in cults and thought provoking, though it could have used more focus and more examples.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Suicide, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Gun violence and Rape
beccasova's review against another edition
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault and Suicide
Discusses the influence of speech and language in cults, and how it has been used in modern marketing today.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
mengzhenreads's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
3.5
highly entertaining about how cults get people to join and stay in them, nothing TOO deep but it's a good read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, and Suicide
Moderate: Death and Murder
Minor: Sexual assault