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Reviews tagging 'Addiction'
Hey, Hun: Sales, Sisterhood, Supremacy, and the Other Lies Behind Multilevel Marketing by Emily Lynn Paulson
19 reviews
jackiejackiejackiee's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
I picked this up based on a TikTok and I'm not mad that I did. My mom is involved with an MLM but doesn't do any recruiting that the author discusses. I give this book 3 stars because while I am glad that the author brings up issues of race/white supremacy culture, etc it almost feels like throw-away lines and not something super thought out. For example, in her chapter about COVID/BLM, she gives this huge paragraph about her own beliefs and feelings, that comes across as a "wait let me make sure that you the reader know exactly where I stand on xyz" and it was just a little icky. Overall if you are interested in the world of MLMs coupled with a raw discussion of substance use, then you might enjoy this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction
condls27's review
informative
medium-paced
4.0
I really enjoyed this. It was educational and self-reflecting. I love how Emily broke down the cult-like control of MLMs and their roots in white supremacy and the patriarchy. I will say, if you’re already anti-MLM you won’t really learn anything new here but I still found it worth the read. I definitely recommend the audiobook, the narration was well done and kept me engaged.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Gaslighting
violetfaerie's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Alcoholism
bmpicc's review
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
3.0
My current rabbit-hole is the cult of MLM's. I do have a few reservations about this one. For instance, her new sober business makes me nervous because it has a slight MLM vibe for me. That being said, I think her heart is in the right place and what she shared was 100% relatable. It is easy to be sucked in, but beware... they pray on the weak. You may be on someone's "dirt list".
I'm not sure I know anyone at this point who has not been invited to a "party", let alone how many of us have been an active part of one. Yes, even me. I sold ********* when our son was first diagnosed with allergies because we didn't know how deep his issues went. I didn't know where to turn for safe cleaning & hygiene products. I was a new mom and an easy target. We all have a story.
I'm not sure I know anyone at this point who has not been invited to a "party", let alone how many of us have been an active part of one. Yes, even me. I sold ********* when our son was first diagnosed with allergies because we didn't know how deep his issues went. I didn't know where to turn for safe cleaning & hygiene products. I was a new mom and an easy target. We all have a story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Classism, Cancer, Pandemic/Epidemic, Hate crime, Religious bigotry, Toxic friendship, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Ableism, Alcoholism, and Racism
pmhandley's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
3.5
Really enjoyable. Paulson treats herself with grace without letting herself off the hook for the harm she's done to others. In your head you're constantly thinking "well she has to get out NOW" but she sinks further in and feels trapped. Almost couldn't believe the getting a DUI in her new car, the night of her car party. I do wish the ties to white supremacy were articulated better. Not because I'm skeptical (I totally can believe MLMs uphold white supremacy and a specific image of white, Christian womanhood) but because Paulson asserts it a lot without deeper analysis. I got the feeling it was a more academic area that wasn't really in her wheelhouse for a memoir. Nonetheless, her criticism of larger power structures in the context of her MLM isn't talked about enough and I thought it was valuable that she pointed it out throughout her story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Addiction, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Sexual assault and Homophobia
magerosenburg's review
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
I will state that I absolutely loathe MLM's and the entire culture around it. I've watched my mothers generation and now mine get completely swept up in promises that are complete and utter lies used to manipulate, abuse, and shame one another. I think if you are coming from that perspective already, this book isn't going to be anything new to you in terms of the culture and how revenue streams work.
That being said, the authors personal story in how she got involved is very interesting and its decently written. I don't think this is a book for anyone currently deep in the MLM culture, but maybe if you are on the way out this could be a hopeful book for you.
The one issue with this book, is that it feels like a plea to not judge the author too harshly for all the things she did while she was part of her MLM. She does state many times that she has regrets and is making amends, but too often it felt like a book that was just trying so hard to distance oneself from all the political and ideological issues within MLM's. However, she does equate the MLM culture to that of the prosperity gospel, and that is 100% accurate and I couldn't agree more.
That being said, the authors personal story in how she got involved is very interesting and its decently written. I don't think this is a book for anyone currently deep in the MLM culture, but maybe if you are on the way out this could be a hopeful book for you.
The one issue with this book, is that it feels like a plea to not judge the author too harshly for all the things she did while she was part of her MLM. She does state many times that she has regrets and is making amends, but too often it felt like a book that was just trying so hard to distance oneself from all the political and ideological issues within MLM's. However, she does equate the MLM culture to that of the prosperity gospel, and that is 100% accurate and I couldn't agree more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, and Alcoholism
divyab's review
informative
reflective
fast-paced
3.0
Entertaining but honestly didn't do as much as I wanted it to. Ultimately, don't think anything new was shared with me about psychology, exclusion-ism, or other thoughtful themes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Addiction, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Classism and Emotional abuse
raereads23's review
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexism, Racism, Ableism, Classism, Emotional abuse, Pandemic/Epidemic, Toxic friendship, Body shaming, Misogyny, and Gaslighting
amsswim's review
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
I liked this one. Easy to read/listen to and follow the journey she went through. As this is a topic I am very interested in, I knew a lot of the information already but there were still some new facts or perspectives I hadn't considered. This is more of a personal story and perspectives with facts rather than a strict non-fiction book, which isn't bad just worth pointing out. Would recommend to most people. Liked the content but the writing style was not really for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Cancer, Sexism, Body shaming, Classism, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Racism, Misogyny, and Bullying
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Sexual assault
popsicleplease's review
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Alcoholism, and Addiction
Minor: Suicide attempt