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Reviews tagging 'Misogyny'
Hey, Hun: Sales, Sisterhood, Supremacy, and the Other Lies Behind Multilevel Marketing by Emily Lynn Paulson
11 reviews
mmccombs's review
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
I’m a person who likes to learn about MLMs (and cults) in the same way we all crane our necks to see a car crash, they are mind-boggling, drama-filled, and absolutely terrible and I want to know more. I’m also a person who has done MLM adjacent type work, stuff in college that wasn’t exactly an MLM but wasn’t exactly not an MLM either, so I definitely empathize with fellow white women who fall into these kinds of traps. This book was a bit more of an autobiography than I anticipated, much more about Emily’s experience than it is an overview of MLMs. But I think that worked really well, talking from her experience rather than painting with a large brush made understanding the why of joining an MLM and why you would stay and what folks get out of it more salient. I do think this was quite repetitive, it could have been significantly shorter (I think it could have even been a long-form article tbh), but the insight and compassion and nuance she brings to this topic was so interesting to read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Racism, Classism, Religious bigotry, Misogyny, and Body shaming
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
winter_loves_cookies's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Alcoholism
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Misogyny, and Gaslighting
Minor: Racism and Pandemic/Epidemic
fkshg8465's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
This book was a recommendation from a friend who was reading it and found the MLM (multilevel marketing) world fascinating. They really are giant incorporated cults. I know this first hand because I used to sell Herbalife in college. I never recruited a downline because I hustled the products, but for a summer, I sold a lot and it helped pay for the next semester. It also meant it was easy for me to cut ties when I got back on campus, but my partner in crime absolutely bought into the dream and dropped out of school to go fulltime - after dropping me as a friend and stealing the rest of the inventory (refused to pay me back by portion of the “investment.” So all of this book resonated with me (aside from the way the author chose to numb herself to the truth, which actually, that college partner of mine also did).
The author also opened my eyes to how societally insidious MLMs are. But she makes total sense about how it’s another prop for White supremacy and White patriarchy. I especially abhorred her MLM’s response to COVID, Black Lives Matter, and the 2020 election.
I loved the reason why she wrote the book. It’s easy to say it was to make a profit. That was probably a factor, but her repentance seems genuine and part of her recovery (making amends). So I hope it reaches all the people who need to hear what she’s saying.
The author also opened my eyes to how societally insidious MLMs are. But she makes total sense about how it’s another prop for White supremacy and White patriarchy. I especially abhorred her MLM’s response to COVID, Black Lives Matter, and the 2020 election.
I loved the reason why she wrote the book. It’s easy to say it was to make a profit. That was probably a factor, but her repentance seems genuine and part of her recovery (making amends). So I hope it reaches all the people who need to hear what she’s saying.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Addiction, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Racism, Alcoholism, and Toxic friendship
streberkatze's review
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
2.5
As a regular memoir, this could have been great, somewhat educational even. Instead, here we go again with a white person parading around their sudden 2020-induced awakening to the realities of life in the U.S. But mentoning white supremacy on every other page does not equal any kind of actual analysis or understanding. It just came across as performative virtue signaling and really made this book cringy. As did the superficial discussion of a bunch of other issues (non-MLM corporate culture, regulation of cosmetics and cleaning products, etc.) that were only tangentially related to her story. The author did herself and the book a real disservice by trying to demonstrate a level of analysis she simply doesn't have. (Assuming this was the result of some poor editorial choices.) "Crimge bonus points": MLM money gave her the financial freedom to start a new business, all while her downline was pretty much eating dirt. A business she is still running.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Misogyny
Moderate: Racism and Alcoholism
tinyoceankingdoms's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
2.75
I think this book would have benefited from more careful editing. It felt about 100 pages too long to me, there’s a lot of rinse and repeat (naturally), and it all becomes a bit convoluted.
What is most frustrating is where Paulson alludes to how MLMs are a symptom of larger destructive structures, but never really articulates her arguments clearly. I feel these could have been separated out into more defined sections to allow for more concise analysis, as opposed to yet another description of some gathering and coveting of studded heels mixed in with passing reference to supporting studies and research.
It also takes almost 300 pages to tackle the intersection of low information literacy and MLMs. Perhaps others have thoroughly covered this aspect, but I feel this is an enormously important issue in tackling MLMs. It seems a bit disingenuous to believe that this only becomes apparent to Paulson during the infodemic, but there is a lot of wilful dissonance throughout the book.
A lot of what attempts to be critical analysis is reminiscent of Elle Woods’ “due to… uh… habeas corpus…” moment. Just words being thrown around in attempt to confound a less informed audience (presumably her former peers).
In short, she’s strongest when she’s recounting the grift because that’s what she understands best. I would recommend it for that reason.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Ableism, Misogyny, Toxic friendship, and Cancer
Minor: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Suicide attempt, Pandemic/Epidemic, Medical content, and Classism
lilybear3's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
5.0
I might be a little obsessed about reading cults and MLMs. I think it's because myself and people outside of them can't fathom how powerful and influential they are on people. It's a car crash you can't seem to look away from. What makes this book stand out from others is the fact that Paulson was high up in the MLM scheme. She is brutally honest about her privilege as a white woman with a heteronormative family, her addiction recovery, and the inner workings of an MLM.
Writing is casual while giving readers information. At times, it is humorous with little quips, but overall, it is vulnerable and honest. I also appreciated the design of the cover. Best of all, the beginning of each chapter had flow chart/pyramid graphic of how her rank and downline continued to grow (and diminish). Absolutely genius.
While I'm super interested in the topic, objectively, this book is great and should be on everyone's reading list. I also appreciated that she says people who are in MLMs are simultaneously victims and abusers (may have used a different term, enablers?). It can seem like only fools would fall for these scams but the scams prey on vulnerable people and use compelling rhetoric. She says the book isn't to scold people, but to hopefully help them realize the danger these companies are. In addition, there's a paragraph about how be there for someone you know in an MLM. Importantly, she has resources for help with MLMs and addiction in the back of the book.
Writing is casual while giving readers information. At times, it is humorous with little quips, but overall, it is vulnerable and honest. I also appreciated the design of the cover. Best of all, the beginning of each chapter had flow chart/pyramid graphic of how her rank and downline continued to grow (and diminish). Absolutely genius.
While I'm super interested in the topic, objectively, this book is great and should be on everyone's reading list. I also appreciated that she says people who are in MLMs are simultaneously victims and abusers (may have used a different term, enablers?). It can seem like only fools would fall for these scams but the scams prey on vulnerable people and use compelling rhetoric. She says the book isn't to scold people, but to hopefully help them realize the danger these companies are. In addition, there's a paragraph about how be there for someone you know in an MLM. Importantly, she has resources for help with MLMs and addiction in the back of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Toxic friendship, Misogyny, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cursing, Classism, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Xenophobia, Racism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Cancer, Religious bigotry, and Medical content
Minor: Body shaming and Homophobia
moonyreadsbystarlight's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Hey Hun takes you through the author's story as she rose through the ranks of an MLM while discussing research on such groups. You get an insider look at the organization from Paulson and quotes from others who have left similar groups, while also seeing data about what these orgs actually look like monetarily and politically. There is also a lot of discussion about how some of these groups fit into frameworks made to identify cults, as well as the insidious role of white supremacy in the very structure of these groups.
A big part that I wasn't expecting but was interesting to hear about the author's experience with alcoholism and recovery (and makes just so much sense considering, not just the MLM culture but "wine mom" culture more broadly). This was a really entertaining and informative book! I listened to it on audiobook, narrated by the author.
A big part that I wasn't expecting but was interesting to hear about the author's experience with alcoholism and recovery (and makes just so much sense considering, not just the MLM culture but "wine mom" culture more broadly). This was a really entertaining and informative book! I listened to it on audiobook, narrated by the author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Misogyny, Toxic friendship, Drug use, and Racism
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Cancer
Minor: Sexual assault
aenoj0302's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
4.0
Hey Hun is the fictionalized autobiography of Emily Lynn Paulson's journey in the multi-level marketing industry. Paulson began as a stay-at-home mother who entered the industry for an escape from her home life and a sense of identity. Over almost ten years, she rose up to the top of her company. But as her success grew, so did her dependence on alcohol and her skepticism in the industry's promises of empowerment and freedom. Each story is followed with analysis of the insidious ways of the industry, and how the problems with MLMs are rooted in larger issues in our society.
I'm already familiar with the anti-mlm movement, but this is one of the best pieces of content I've read from it yet. It's a great exploration of how and why so many people get caught up in the industry and breaks down how harmful it is to the core. It's a necessary read for anyone who is familiar with the industry.
I'm already familiar with the anti-mlm movement, but this is one of the best pieces of content I've read from it yet. It's a great exploration of how and why so many people get caught up in the industry and breaks down how harmful it is to the core. It's a necessary read for anyone who is familiar with the industry.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction
Moderate: Misogyny and Racism