Scan barcode
Reviews tagging 'Medical content'
Hey, Hun: Sales, Sisterhood, Supremacy, and the Other Lies Behind Multilevel Marketing by Emily Lynn Paulson
2 reviews
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
More...