Reviews tagging 'Misogyny'

Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell

33 reviews

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

samspur's review against another edition

dark informative mysterious reflective medium-paced

4.0

I've had this one on my list for a while, and I devoured it in no time. The concept of cults having their own unique jargon really stuck with me. It’s fascinating—and a bit unsettling—how this specific language can be so powerful. Now, I find myself paying closer attention to these subtle cues. My disdain for MLMs and the people who perpetuate them has only deepened, especially knowing how prevalent they are in religious circles as well. Overall I think this is a great read!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Genocide, Misogyny, Racism, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Addiction and Religious bigotry

vixenreader's review against another edition

challenging dark funny informative reflective tense medium-paced

5.0

Essential reading for everyone, this non-fiction text explores how linguistics, gaslighting, and thought-terminating cliches used in cults can be used to prey on vulnerable individuals, whether it be in traditionally harmful cults, or the mainstream ones online. It is a call to arms about keeping your curious without ignoring your intuition and natural instincts. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Ableism, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Xenophobia, and Classism

Minor: Addiction, Cancer, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Incest, Infidelity, Racial slurs, Rape, Trafficking, Religious bigotry, and Cultural appropriation

Be aware that this book addresses extreme cults, “brainwashing,” mental abuse, mass suicide, financial abuse, and gaslighting through language.

ashlynregan's review against another edition

dark emotional funny informative mysterious reflective medium-paced

4.5

REALLY loved the writing style of this book (it read like a long-form collegiate essay with online colloquialisms interspersed) and cults are always a huge interest of mine. ILY AMANDA MONTELL.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Racism, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, and Pandemic/Epidemic

sheriffrockyraccoon's review against another edition

funny informative lighthearted reflective fast-paced

4.0

This book was addictive- I read it in less than a day! Amanda Montell’s writing felt like listening to a friend talk about her latest obsession, in a good way.

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!

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Content Warnings

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

katie0528's review against another edition

challenging dark informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

An exploration of language. The first half discusses how cults and religious groups use language tactics like "us vs. them" language creating their own codes/abbreviations to entice  followers and keep them in line. The second half focuses more on "Cultish" language in everyday life, from brands and movies with cult followings, to passionate communities like fitness clubs to social media influencers to QAnon, and how "Cultish" language can be used to build solidarity for good and for ill and ways to recognize and interrogate it.

I did listen to the audiobook and wish it was read by the author. The narrator was fine, but Amanda Montell hosts a podcast called Sounds Like a Cult, and she is so much more engaging when discussing these topics.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Religious bigotry and Gaslighting

Moderate: Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Trafficking

Minor: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Suicide, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Abortion, Cultural appropriation, Sexual harassment, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic

growintogardens's review against another edition

medium-paced

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide

Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship

cailynacollins's review against another edition

funny informative medium-paced

4.0

This book was a fun and informative read. I didn't give it 5 stars because I felt like it could have been a little bit more engaging.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Fatphobia, Misogyny, and Suicide

aglimpseinto's review against another edition

funny informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, and Xenophobia

Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, and Gaslighting

readwithev's review against another edition

informative reflective medium-paced

4.25

My only (very minor) complaint is that I wish there were more first hand accounts/interview snippets. I appreciated the informative, introspective, and curious approach while maintaining and understanding and empathic tone. The book is informative without sounding repetitive or preachy. I also liked that Montell researches “cult-like” language in non-violent spaces like MLMs and fitness clubs. They explain how ”cultish” language can build strong community and emotional connection in a digestible way. (Honestly I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who thought SoulCycle has a weird ring to it). 

⚠️Trigger warning ⚠️ Montell does discuss violent dangerous cults that participate(ed) in emotional, physical and/or psychological abuse.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, and Cultural appropriation

Minor: Drug use, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Vomit, Gaslighting, and Alcohol