Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'

Don't Call It a Cult: The Shocking Story of Keith Raniere and the Women of NXIVM by Sarah Berman

11 reviews

miblette's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Gaslighting

lizmarasse's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Medical trauma, Abortion, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Deportation

valzsc's review against another edition

dark informative tense medium-paced

3.75

After listening to a few podcasts through the years, I thought I knew some things about NXIVM but I was wrong.

I love the way the story was told by the author. The fact that it is not written chronologically made it a lot more engaging, letting you know a little bit by bit until you get to the full story of each individual she interviewed or had context of.

As this story is really sad and dark, I don’t think it’s a book I would go back to (nor sooner, nor later). It is dark, twisted, and I feel bad for all the things these women went through. Really bad. 

Overall, storytelling is great, it is engaging and entertaining and the story is heartbreaking. If you want to add to the mix you can also watch the show, it’s called The Vow, so you get the audiovisual experience (also getting to know more of Nancy Salzman’s side of the story, whom I think is not mentioned a lot on this book)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Abortion, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment

growintogardens's review against another edition

challenging dark informative medium-paced

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Stalking, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Grief, Abortion, and Deportation

Minor: Cancer and Alcohol

melissahawco's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative slow-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Confinement, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Deportation

bahamyulala's review against another edition

informative sad slow-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment

winnifred's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Mental illness, Self harm, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Trafficking, and Stalking

Minor: Pregnancy and Alcohol

hollymich's review against another edition

dark informative tense medium-paced

4.0

A chilling and thorough account of the disturbing events surrounding NXIVM. The facts are presented logically and understandably, despite there being so many people involved over so many years. It is haunting how this happened so recently, right under our noses. I think there is a lot to be learned in this book about the signs of manipulation and abuse, although that is not the book's goal. All in all, I praise Berman for her diligent research and dedication to sharing this story.

I recommend the audiobook!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Grief, Abortion, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Cancer, Cursing, and Alcohol

devynvictoria's review

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense slow-paced

3.5

Definitely a heavy read, it took me a little over a month to get through. Very informative, interesting— and it is terrifying at times to know that these things really happened to these women. Please check the content warnings before starting to read this book

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Trafficking, Abortion, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy

nain's review

dark emotional informative inspiring sad tense medium-paced

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Confinement, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Trafficking, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment