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fkshg8465's review against another edition
5.0
It was good to get a broad spectrum of cults versus just the ones deemed deviations of mainstream Christianity. By including fitness cults, social cults, New Age cults, and pyramid schemes, it makes it really obvious that we are all much more susceptible than in previous times. I would be really interested in reading an extra chapter devoted just to the MAGA cult at some point, if the writer were ever to update the book with one.
I give it a five because I’ll want to read this again later, rather than because it’s as good as a five might be.
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
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
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
apoppyinthewind's review against another edition
3.5
Also, the audiobook highlights the "More on that later" pattern that other reviewers have pointed out which became irritating.
Aside from those issues though, it was a fascinating look into the word cult, what we generally know/think about cults, and how language evolves around cults. There were a few personal anecdotes which I found interesting though I could see them being off-putting if you were looking for a more academic-style text.
One element I especially appreciated was the way Montell tried to destigmatize the way folks are drawn into cults, and any scorn in the book was aimed at the manipulative cult leaders, not the ones who were drawn into cultish groups.
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Murder, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Body shaming, Child abuse, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Addiction and Alcoholism
trippyotter's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Classism
kshertz's review against another edition
4.0
Minor: Alcoholism, Body horror, Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Gaslighting
blueberryelf's review against another edition
4.0
Minor: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Cancer, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Gaslighting
butlerebecca's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Physical abuse, Suicide, Religious bigotry, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Racism, and Trafficking
ramhog's review against another edition
4.5
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
Since this is all about various cults and their abuses I'm sure I missed some warnings. From my memory none of the descriptions longer, but it does deal head on with dark themes.