Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell

33 reviews

courto875's review against another edition

dark informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Mass/school shootings, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, Body shaming, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Suicide, Cultural appropriation, Death, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Physical abuse

lazers28's review against another edition

informative medium-paced

4.5

As a person who has been involved in 4 groups named in this book I found this to be an accurate, thoughtful and thought provoking book. I appreciate the balanced look at what "cultish means all along it's spectrum and the focus on the HOW these groups work. Knowing the techniques can help you notice red flags and make an informed choice on how and where you participate in groups. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood and Violence

Moderate: Sexual violence, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, and Suicide

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.  

---

Content Warnings

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

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

Minor: Adult/minor relationship

zpitts's review against another edition

challenging hopeful informative mysterious medium-paced

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Violence, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Sexual violence

remimicha's review against another edition

funny hopeful informative lighthearted mysterious reflective fast-paced

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic, Gaslighting, Murder, Mental illness, Homophobia, Violence, Sexual violence, Religious bigotry, Racism, Suicide, Sexual assault, Pedophilia, and Fatphobia

trippyotter's review against another edition

informative medium-paced

4.0

This book... I knew about several of the things mentioned, but the few I didn't, yikes...

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Toxic friendship, Rape, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Sexual violence, Alcoholism, Classism, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, and Religious bigotry

rionstorm's review against another edition

funny informative reflective medium-paced

4.25

Really cool exploration into the linguistic techniques used by cults and cultish groups, written in an simple to read, conversational way so it's easy to get through.

I liked that the author explored a wide range of groups, from the types of groups that would traditionally be seen as cults, to new age social media healers, MLMs, and conspiracy theory communities like QAnon, as it was really fascinating to see the same core linguistic and persuasive principals being applied in such different scenarios. 

They look at both the positive and negative aspects of tight knit cultish groups, and consistently invite the reader to remain empathetic about to the factors that lead people to become part of these groups, without excusing any harmful behavior or views. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, and Suicide

Moderate: Antisemitism, Cultural appropriation, Sexual violence, Body shaming, and Religious bigotry

Minor: Pedophilia, Cancer, Racism, and Vomit

cassielaj's review against another edition

challenging dark funny informative medium-paced

5.0

Absolutely fascinating! As someone who loves language and dabbles in true crime, I was so intrigued by this book that breaks down the manipulative language used in cult-like settings from Jonestown to SoulCycle. Montell makes her subjects accessible, enthralling, and a lot of fun. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Cursing, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Sexual violence, Xenophobia, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Violence, and Suicide

lizjellig's review against another edition

informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide

Moderate: Fatphobia, Racism, and Child death

Minor: Sexual violence

redrosemoth's review against another edition

challenging dark funny hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Sexual violence, Gaslighting, and Gun violence