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A review by madelinemaesmith
Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell
challenging
informative
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
5⭐️/5
Is it cultish to be obsessed with books about cults (NO, if you read the book, you better understand the criteria for cults vs co-opted cultish language, but STILL).
Hello, do you gobble up every cult documentary that makes its way to Netflix? Do you often wonder about the intersection of MLM’s, religion, and cults? Did you also live through the #bossbabe era of the 2010’s, diet culture of the 2000’s, and wonder if academics should study the effects of our trauma? Well then do I have the book for YOU!
Cultish is academic, yet approachable in its exploration of the sociology and language of cults. Montell is thoughtful in discussing cults and their leaders, but also careful and nonjudgemental in her approach to people who ultimately join (or, more likely, find themselves in a cult, because, as she deftly points out, it’s more subtle than you’d think!)
There is so much nuance provided in this book, she discusses the difference between fantaticism and cult-like behaviors that communities often adopt (shared language, identity, etc) and truly dangerous cults with abusive and toxic leadership. Though there is some heave subject-matter, the authors tone kept things on track, and even humorous at times.
Definitely recommend this book if you want to read nonfiction that doesn’t feel like nonfiction, you have any interest at all in cults, MLMs, true crime, or linguistic manipulation.
***ALSO The author cohosts a podcast called “Sounds Like a Cult” that I’ve listened to for years! And though the book is more informative, the podcast is a good one to throw on for entertainment depending on the topic (my personal faves were “The Cult of Peloton,” “The Cult of Crossfit,” and “The Cult of The Kardashians.”)
Is it cultish to be obsessed with books about cults (NO, if you read the book, you better understand the criteria for cults vs co-opted cultish language, but STILL).
Hello, do you gobble up every cult documentary that makes its way to Netflix? Do you often wonder about the intersection of MLM’s, religion, and cults? Did you also live through the #bossbabe era of the 2010’s, diet culture of the 2000’s, and wonder if academics should study the effects of our trauma? Well then do I have the book for YOU!
Cultish is academic, yet approachable in its exploration of the sociology and language of cults. Montell is thoughtful in discussing cults and their leaders, but also careful and nonjudgemental in her approach to people who ultimately join (or, more likely, find themselves in a cult, because, as she deftly points out, it’s more subtle than you’d think!)
There is so much nuance provided in this book, she discusses the difference between fantaticism and cult-like behaviors that communities often adopt (shared language, identity, etc) and truly dangerous cults with abusive and toxic leadership. Though there is some heave subject-matter, the authors tone kept things on track, and even humorous at times.
Definitely recommend this book if you want to read nonfiction that doesn’t feel like nonfiction, you have any interest at all in cults, MLMs, true crime, or linguistic manipulation.
***ALSO The author cohosts a podcast called “Sounds Like a Cult” that I’ve listened to for years! And though the book is more informative, the podcast is a good one to throw on for entertainment depending on the topic (my personal faves were “The Cult of Peloton,” “The Cult of Crossfit,” and “The Cult of The Kardashians.”)