Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell

70 reviews

morganeua's review

informative medium-paced

3.0

I listened to this as an audiobook, and I'm not sure I would've finished it if I read it as a physical book. Some sections felt better in audio, like my favourite portion which presents an imagined dialogue between two scientologists. The core idea at the heart of this book, that language can form bonds between people for better or worse, was interesting. Many examples in the book helped elucidate this core message and all the examples of binding language that come with it; however, I got the point pretty fast and didn't feel like I needed to read the whole book to get the experience of the book. So, my reading got slower and slower as the book went on. I still finished it, though! It was upbeat, interesting, and enjoyable! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse

glitterdeww's review

informative reflective medium-paced

4.75

Excellent dive into the power of language and how cultish groups everywhere use it to coerce and condition their members. I never liked MLMs, but I will definitely be looking at them even more sideways after this read. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Confinement, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Death, Violence, Cultural appropriation, and Suicide

growintogardens's review against another edition

medium-paced

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide

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

ana_p_carvalho's review against another edition

funny informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Xenophobia, Transphobia, Toxic relationship, and Suicide

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

claireh6's review

informative lighthearted reflective medium-paced

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Suicide, Murder, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment

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: Toxic relationship, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

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

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

hey_al's review

funny informative medium-paced

3.5

Loved it! If you've listened to her podcast, a lot of this might sound familiar. If not, check it out. I like that she doesn't use a judgemental tone or write off all culty behavior - it's very nuanced and we are all susceptible to it. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Suicide, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Murder, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, and Racism

lemonsforyu's review

challenging informative reflective fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Racism, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Hate crime, Pandemic/Epidemic, Bullying, Self harm, Mental illness, Misogyny, and Suicide

julianairving's review

dark hopeful informative lighthearted reflective medium-paced

4.75

I greatly enjoyed the deep dive into how language is used in all sorts of different communities and how many groups (such as fitness clubs and MLMs) have religious roots and how it's used in their messaging. Loved the author's writing style. Both I formative and fun to read!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Religious bigotry and Violence

Moderate: Toxic relationship

jsahm8's review

informative reflective fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting