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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
sarahjx's review against another edition
4.25
Minor: Drug use, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Violence, and Murder
thursdd4y's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Suicide, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Murder, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Terminal illness, Grief, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
itisnatal's review against another edition
4.5
Minor: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Suicide, and Sexual harassment
saucy_bookdragon's review against another edition
3.5
Sections 4-5 were disappointing though, dealing with MLMs (the pyramid schemes kind not the gay kind) and fitness programs. They spent the whole time justifying why these groups are cultish and so mainly applied the information discussed in the first half, which made it redundant and the authors arguments felt like reaches at times, she even admits at the end of chapter five that fitness programs aren't really a concern. This would've been stronger if it focused specifically on religious cults and then made quick comparisons to how the methods apply to non-cult groups, or maybe if it had been one chapter about cultish groups.
The last section is a return to form as it discusses New Age and conspiracy theory internet personalities. These are much closer to traditional cults and its a fascinating discussion on how these groups form with the internet. It made me wish that the non-cult sections had been cut/condensed and the book could've expanded more on actual cults, especially since there were a lot of examples mentioned that could have used expanding on.
Also, it seems odd that since the doors were opened for cult-like groups that there wasn't any discussion of celebrity fandoms. They're mentioned maybe twice but never expanded on or explained. I mean they're groups of people extremely devoted to one person/a group of people who have their own distinct language, in jokes, and culture. Their beliefs are often near religious and the lore they create is often intricate and a mythology around the person. I think especially Swifties, kpop stans, and Beatlemania would be interesting to study.
Cultish is overall an interesting introduction to the role language plays in cults and thought provoking, though it could have used more focus and more examples.
Graphic: Sexual assault, Suicide, and Murder
Moderate: Gun violence and Rape
hannah_and_her_stories's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Gun violence, Violence, Religious bigotry, and Alcohol
Minor: Cancer, Racism, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, and Pandemic/Epidemic
redrosemoth's review against another edition
4.0
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
seanml's review against another edition
4.0
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Forced institutionalization, and Gaslighting
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Cancer, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Racism, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Classism
bootsmom3's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Ableism, Fatphobia, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Murder, and Cultural appropriation
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Alcohol