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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
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
kajasversion's review against another edition
4.0
Though I will say i found that a lot of the information was already known to me and I would dare to say to the general public to, so I don’t necessarily think this is a groundbreaking reserch, more so a collective overview.
Graphic: Suicide, Religious bigotry, and Gaslighting
Minor: Fatphobia, Pedophilia, Racism, Sexual assault, Violence, and Vomit
smashbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Moderate: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Racism, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
sheriffrockyraccoon's review against another edition
4.0
I loved how this book was divided to include not only actual cults but other groups we might not necessarily consider “cult-ish”. Montell was respectful of both cult victims and those who participate in SoulCycle in a way that was full of compassion and avoided being demeaning. I also found it funny how to “learn” the language of Cultush the book ironically created a language of its own, further emphasizing Montell’s point that it’s pretty impossible to avoid a “cult” as a human being.
I’d recommend this book to anyone looking to get into nonfiction that doesn’t want to stress about dense historical backgrounds or difficult vocabulary. Montell takes the time to explain everything to her readers and guide them through her thesis. It’s also great for any nerdy English majors such as myself who love to learn about how language can change our worldview.
I only wish that Montell had the time to write about January 6th, as this book’s manuscript seemed to have finished by the time it happened. I would have loved to hear what she had to say about it!
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Grief, Religious bigotry, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Pandemic/Epidemic
danimacuk's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Suicide, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Physical abuse and Sexual assault
Minor: Body shaming, Confinement, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Racism, Rape, Trafficking, Kidnapping, and Pandemic/Epidemic
dkamada's review against another edition
5.0
Moderate: Death, Fatphobia, Suicide, Violence, Religious bigotry, and Gaslighting
cailynacollins's review against another edition
4.0
Moderate: Fatphobia, Misogyny, and Suicide
breandthebooks's review against another edition
This book presents ideas about cults as if they are new ideas, such as how many of their "charismatic" leaders are white males, and usually get away with their behavior on that merit alone. I felt as if the cults themselves and their fanaticism were overlooked to discuss and seemingly punch down on its followers. More focus was put on the followers of different cult-like movements (not even cults themselves in reality) Yes the followers of these movements are a key to these movements' success, but more focus was on the money they spent on brand-name clothing or how outlandish their mantras were, versus the abusive, misogynistic, and borderline racist environments the leaders and creators of these 'cults' fostered.
I felt as if the cults themselves were mentioned but never actually talked about, especially cults that are still in existence such as The Church of Scientology. While the book's main focus is on the language these cults use, I feel as though you too need to understand what these cults are, how they operated, rose to prominence, and sometimes sustained prominence. Different cults were discussed in the text but were never given a clear or in-depth backstory, especially Scientology which is still popular among many celebrities, despite the church being accused of abusing its members, the children with the church, and covering up abuse in the church. Its new leader David Miscavige is barely even mentioned when he is at the forefront of the church's new leadership.
This is a great read if you are new to researching cults or just want to gain a surface-level understanding of cults, cult-like followings, and the language of cult followings. However, if you already have an understanding of cults or have done research into them, this book will not tell you anything you probably don't already know.
Moderate: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Racism, and Suicide