Reviews tagging 'Murder'

Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell

100 reviews

lara_ayrolla's review against another edition

dark informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

This was a nice book that made me learn patterns and concepts that I'll never be able to unlearn. The writing wasn't the most polished and there were many things that I would like changed, but, overall, it was pleasant and intelligent. I'm glad I read it.

Pros:

• The linguistic explanations present in this book are interesting and reflective, creating a whole new perspective on multiple scenarios for me.
• Many examples used enriched the experience and helped me better understand the consequences of linguistic choices.
• This book has two things that make me swoon when I'm reading: many quotables, and knowledge that will not allow me to be the same as I was before reading it.
• I like how many of the concepts taught in previous chapters are carried to the next ones and used organically, making it easier to internalize the knowledge and truly understand it.

Cons:

• The writing is a bit clunky and needs more editing.
• The order in which things are said seems random and not planned. Reading that something will be spoken about in other chapters adds nothing but frustration and confusion to the reading experience.
• Much information without sources was given.
• Too many personal examples and experiences are used, making the book sound less professional and a little too much like a linguistic-themed memoir at some points.
• There is so much unnecessary history and background that it becomes daunting to read until getting to the actual point.
• I'm glad that there are notes, but it's quite unfortunate that they are all at the end of the book with no identifiable number or code whatsoever.
• I know I bring it upon myself by reading books from the United States but the hyper-focus on the country and the almost fantastical view of other places never fails to disappoint me. I would have liked this book tons more had it been more focused on the topic in general than so specifically on US culture.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Suicide, and Murder

abicaro17's review against another edition

dark informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

Montell investigates the way that cult language has integrated into much more of our everyday activities. From MLMs to Crossfit, broad and manipulative language convinces all kinds of people to buy into their brands. Starting off in Guyana with Jonestown, Montell explains that most people have the instinct to trust average middle age white men who seem to listen and care about the things they care about. This is how Jim Jones was able to convince people to literally drink cyanide juice when the government was coming to shut him down. It's also how #BossBabes recuit downlines in MLMs like Rodan+Fields and Luluroe, how Crossfit and Peleton trainers convince people to come to class, and how Instagram gurus sell juices and CBD oil. By using generic language that sounds knowledgeable or relatable, these companies, brands, or gurus can sell their products, their #BossBabe lifestyle, or even $2,000 machines. This book was both interesting and relatable, using interviews with people who fell for "cultish" like some followers of Jonestown, some #BossBabes, and news stories of QAnon followers. I feel like I learned a lot about why people join cults and cult like groups and how the language changes to fit different kinds of cults. I think my only complaint was some of the language was explained once and then never again so if I forgot what it was the book was confusing. Otherwise it was entertaining and enlightening. 

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Content Warnings

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

komiification's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark funny informative reflective medium-paced

4.75

Only thing stopping me from giving this 5 stars because I LOVED this, was it definitely needed to go through a final edit. Way too much of 'more on this later'. But other than that, I thought it was super insightful all around. One of my favs! 

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Content Warnings

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

taurusfeelings's review against another edition

dark informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Murder

kendal_reads's review against another edition

informative medium-paced

2.75

is this me not liking it was we go on or am i being influenced by negative reviews ? the world will never know

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Suicide, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Death, Sexual assault, and Murder

Minor: Body shaming, Racism, and Cultural appropriation

dreadspawn's review against another edition

dark funny informative reflective medium-paced

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Violence, Murder, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Fatphobia, Racism, Sexual assault, and Religious bigotry

pilicreads's review against another edition

adventurous funny informative inspiring medium-paced

4.0

Amanda Montell has an absolute GEM here! i cannot overstate how much this book came at the PERFECT time, a time where I’ve been feeling lost and confused about my relationship to spirituality. Montell is witty, clear, thorough, and fun to read. 

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! ;)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Suicide, and Murder

grace_b_3's review against another edition

This had an interesting subject matter and premise, but the writing style just did not work for me.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide and Murder

sarahjx's review against another edition

informative reflective sad medium-paced

4.25

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Content Warnings

Minor: Drug use, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Violence, and Murder

emmawiechs's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Suicide, Murder, and Gaslighting

Minor: Drug use and Emotional abuse