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lara_ayrolla's review against another edition
4.0
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.
Graphic: Death, Suicide, and Murder
abicaro17's review against another edition
4.5
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
4.75
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
4.0
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Murder
kendal_reads's review against another edition
2.75
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
3.5
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
4.0
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! ;)
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Suicide, and Murder
grace_b_3's review against another edition
Moderate: Suicide and Murder
sarahjx's review against another edition
4.25
Minor: Drug use, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Violence, and Murder
emmawiechs's review against another edition
3.75
Moderate: Death, Suicide, Murder, and Gaslighting
Minor: Drug use and Emotional abuse