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A review by erin0999
Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell
challenging
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
This was a really interesting read as I find language, culture, and cults all to be super interesting. I already know a LOT about the big name cults, I’ve seen the documentaries, it’s just something I find interesting and I think this book is made for people like me who have that level of understanding and knowledge to begin with. This book does not deep dive into any particular one particular cult, though it does focus on several throughout. That being said, I don’t think this book was written for people who are unfamiliar with cults at all. Which is fair, this book is about language cults use and is probably more for people who wonder why people get sucked into cults and stay in them, or why established cults feel so strange and out of place in our society (aside from their beliefs or customs).
Overall I thought this book was interestingly written, I went through the audiobook super fast, just listening and wanting to learn more and this was a great introduction to a lot of linguistic concepts. I also think Montell makes a great argument that cults have largely moved into social media and online spaces. It proves her point so clearly that the first things cults do is establish a language, a way of speaking, that is fundamentally different and sets their group apart. And this language is more powerful than we give it credit for, people join online cult leaders and sometimes physically go meet them (like shown in the Mother God documentary) all based on the way that they resonate with the language and message being given.
While I did like a majority of this book, I do think that Montell’s message of encouraging compassion towards people who have been brought into these fringe groups or sucked into these MLMs comes a bit too late. Especially in the MLM section, I found myself wanting Montell to bring that compassion and understanding she preaches about in the very last section of book. Eventually it comes, but you almost have to get to the last page to receive it. I think it would be much better placed at the start of the book and maybe throughout. Montell’s writing is sometimes funny and snarky which is totally fine, especially when breaking down concepts like this, but she also sometimes comes across a little mean spirited when she refers to women in MLMs or her former coworkers at a “fashion magazine”. It comes across a little holier than thou despite her also saying she’s absolutely not saying that. I think this would be more believable if that sweet message wasn’t saved until the end.
Despite that, I think this is a very well done book if you want to understand the elements of language and fanaticism that cults, religions, exercise groups, and businesses all use to manipulate us, either for good or evil.
Overall I thought this book was interestingly written, I went through the audiobook super fast, just listening and wanting to learn more and this was a great introduction to a lot of linguistic concepts. I also think Montell makes a great argument that cults have largely moved into social media and online spaces. It proves her point so clearly that the first things cults do is establish a language, a way of speaking, that is fundamentally different and sets their group apart. And this language is more powerful than we give it credit for, people join online cult leaders and sometimes physically go meet them (like shown in the Mother God documentary) all based on the way that they resonate with the language and message being given.
While I did like a majority of this book, I do think that Montell’s message of encouraging compassion towards people who have been brought into these fringe groups or sucked into these MLMs comes a bit too late. Especially in the MLM section, I found myself wanting Montell to bring that compassion and understanding she preaches about in the very last section of book. Eventually it comes, but you almost have to get to the last page to receive it. I think it would be much better placed at the start of the book and maybe throughout. Montell’s writing is sometimes funny and snarky which is totally fine, especially when breaking down concepts like this, but she also sometimes comes across a little mean spirited when she refers to women in MLMs or her former coworkers at a “fashion magazine”. It comes across a little holier than thou despite her also saying she’s absolutely not saying that. I think this would be more believable if that sweet message wasn’t saved until the end.
Despite that, I think this is a very well done book if you want to understand the elements of language and fanaticism that cults, religions, exercise groups, and businesses all use to manipulate us, either for good or evil.