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Sounds like a cult…

Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell

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Oh, gosh, where to start! Language is an endlessly fascinating subject to me. What words we use, where those words came from and why we use the ones we use when we use them. Language is the foundation of culture and is used to include or divide, which seems super obvious but also begs the question of why? Why do certain words, in certain contexts evoke a particular response for certain people? Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell doesn’t attempt to provide an answer but […]

Learn about language AND cults at the same time? Yes, thanks.

Cultish: The Language of Fanatacism by Amanda Montell

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I read this book after placing it on my TBR list following a great review on this very website. It did not disappoint (to say the least). Cultish explains how language is used in cults (and ‘cultish’ organisations) to lure people in and keep them there. From love-bombs to thought-terminating cliches, language is just about the most powerful tool to make people feel like they belong swiftly followed by making them feel terrified of the consequences if they leave. Scientology, as an example, has so […]

A feminist view on linguistics

Wordslut: A Feminist Guide to Taking Back the English Language by Amanda Montell

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I just checked and it’s been 2 weeks since I finished this book – and I can already tell you I don’t remember a single thing about what I read. So while I remember enjoying it quite a bit as I listened to it, I think I might have to bring my rating down a bit for how unmemorable this was – especially compared to the few other non-fiction books I’ve read lately, which are still living in my head rent-free. Regardless, this is a […]

Linguistics Grad Gets Book Deal, Writes About Cults Instead

Cultish by Amanda Montell

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For the second time this year, I’m gonna downgrade a book that I probably would have liked better if I had different expectations going in. This time the victim of mis-marketing is Cultish, by Amanda Montell. The book jacket promises: Through juicy storytelling and cutting-edge original research [emphasis mine — auntadadoom], Montell exposes the linguistic elements that make a wide spectrum of communities cultish, revealing not only how cult language affects followers of groups as notorious as Heaven’s Gate but also how it pervades our modern […]

“At last we meet again for the first time, for the last time.”

Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell

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All I’ve got in my head right now is that line from Spaceballs (see title of this review). I say that because every year I read a handful of books that I am just absolutely at a loss for how to review. This is my first one of 2022! I just want to say la la la la la and maybe read it again, but I’m expected instead to verbalize my thoughts about a book that covered so much and was so good and so […]

“Are you in a cult?”

Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell

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Well, I might be! Really, I’m inundated with cultish language- much like most of you are as well! The above question, posited by our own CBR gurus and shared across social media, was attached to an excellent review by faintingviolet. Her review kindled a blaze with other CBR readers- myself included! Our Goodreads walls are packed with update-after-update barrages of people frantically ripping through this read! I am very much looking forward to the Cultish flood headed our way. Now- back to the question. Am I […]



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