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abicaro17's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Dysphoria, and Pandemic/Epidemic
darlaslays's review against another edition
4.25
I was able to look back at my previous experiences with cult-like organizations with a fresh perspective. I recalled the years wherein I was involved with an organization that was cultish (but beneficial overall) and this group discussed ontology quite a lot. As a result, we had very specific definitions for commonly used words that meant something distinct from how it was typically used in American English. It did feel empowering to use language as a tool for reframing the way I looked at the world, in a positive way. However, there was a sense of shame after I stopped participating in this organization because I did things I now wish I didn’t during my time there.
There were portions in the book that I didn’t quite agree with politically speaking— I fall around the centre-right but also have left leaning social ideologies— however, the author took great care to balance her opinions with facts and also cited evidence of both political parties’ involvement in cult-like activities and influence.
Ultimately, she made a very good case for all of her points, and I completely respect that. It didn’t completely alienate me as a reader who in my life was subject to literally all categories of the cultish organizations that the author described (as a result of mine or my family’s involvement in them). Every time I thought she might have lost me, she always found a way to reel it back in by indicating that she has an open mind and empathy for others who may fall into ideological traps.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in cults and language. I wish my friends and family members with a tendency to join cultish organizations would read this, but that’s okay if they don’t. At least I personally am now equipped with the knowledge I gained from this book.
Minor: Body shaming, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Sexual harassment
It’s terrifying how deeply people can get involved in dangerous ideologies. This book touches on well-known cases of cult fanaticism that resulted in group suicide (with non-consenting parties also getting killed). There are also portions that discuss cult leaders using their influence to sexually assault women and children. As someone whose family was quite involved in multiple situations that would fall under the Cultish umbrella, hearing certain accounts of interviewees brought back flashbacks of times where I felt genuinely afraid.rideauriverreads's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Gaslighting
komiification's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Suicide, and Murder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Homophobia, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
kglawrence's review against another edition
3.5
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Suicide
kendal_reads's review against another edition
2.75
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Suicide, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Death, Sexual assault, and Murder
Minor: Body shaming, Racism, and Cultural appropriation
vixenreader's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Ableism, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Xenophobia, and Classism
Minor: Addiction, Cancer, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Incest, Infidelity, Racial slurs, Rape, Trafficking, Religious bigotry, and Cultural appropriation
Be aware that this book addresses extreme cults, “brainwashing,” mental abuse, mass suicide, financial abuse, and gaslighting through language.dreadspawn's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Violence, Murder, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Fatphobia, Racism, Sexual assault, and Religious bigotry
thecandiegirl's review against another edition
4.25
Minor: Death, Emotional abuse, Racism, Suicide, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
pilicreads's review against another edition
4.0
Montell brings wisdom, solace, compassion, and education to her readers and to the subjects she writes about.
My biggest takeaway from this book was much less about cults and language (though that is of course present) and much more about the joys and perils of seeking a sense of community, spirituality, and purpose.
The book can at times feel like a student trying to reach the word count, but usually Montell’s anecdotes bring a colorful, nuanced perspective to the varied topics she discusses. I do wish that some of her anecdotes (because there are MANY) were sometimes swapped out for more empirical research.
Consider me a #MontellGroupie! ;)
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Suicide, and Murder