Reviews tagging 'Adult/minor relationship'

Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell

30 reviews

bashsbooks's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

4.25

This is an extremely cool linguistic exploration on how language impacts how people decided to join and stay in manipulative groups (broadly termed 'cultish'). From murder-suicides like Jonestown and Heaven's Gate to MLMs to fitness groups like Soul Cycle, the spectrum is wide, but Montell convincing demonstrates on how all these groups employ similar rhetorical strats to recruit people.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Religious bigotry, Murder, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Antisemitism

Minor: Adult/minor relationship

hannah_and_her_stories's review against another edition

funny informative medium-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Gun violence, Violence, Religious bigotry, and Alcohol

Minor: Cancer, Racism, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, and Pandemic/Epidemic

alsoapples's review against another edition

dark funny informative fast-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Racism, Suicide, Torture, Trafficking, Murder, and Gaslighting

cady_sass's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

I don’t know who needs to hear this, but don’t join that MLM. 

In all seriousness this is EXPERTLY done and I’m blown away. I’ve always been drawn to cult history and I really, really appreciate the work the author did here to include “cultish” behavior (hence, the title) of non cult entities- MLMs, fitness & CrossFit culture, MAGA, etc.- along with the obvious identifiable cults like Jonestown, Heavens Gate, and Nxivm, among others. 

Super important to give language to the behaviors and vernacular that are big red flags 🚩 so people can engage carefully and make informed decisions. Highly, highly recommend.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

thebookpaiges's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Suicide, and Murder

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Sexual assault

Minor: Vomit

seanml's review against another edition

funny informative medium-paced

4.0

Cultish is a fascinating look into the the social pillars that made up organizations ranging from Heaven's Gate, to multi-level marketing,  to QAnon. Filled with interesting anecdotes and stories from former 'cultists,' Montell's voice is unique and inviting enough to keep you engaged (but hopefully not devotedly so). 8/10.

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Content Warnings

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

eruanna317's review against another edition

dark funny informative fast-paced

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Drug use

graceesford's review against another edition

dark funny informative fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, and Colonisation

laurenkimoto's review against another edition

dark emotional funny informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol

e_claire's review against another edition

challenging dark informative sad slow-paced

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, and Suicide