A review by ashwaar
Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell

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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