Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism
First edition
AuthorAmanda Montell
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Genrenonfiction
PublisherHarper Wave
Publication date
June 2021
ISBN978-0-06-299315-1

Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism is a 2021 nonfiction book by linguist Amanda Montell about the use of language in cults. It was published on June 15, 2021 by Harper Wave.[1]

Content

Montell argues in Cultish that cults and cultists can be identified in particular through their non-standard use of language – as scholar Scott Lowe put it, "the technical terms, the redefined words, the shorthand, the clichés, the euphemisms, logical distortions, and so on […] set members apart from (and above) their pedestrian neighbors, families, and coworkers".[2] Montell does not necessarily view "cultish" – the "language" she identifies as the set of linguistic tricks cult leaders use to coerce and manipulate members – negatively, but she believes that people should at least be able to recognize it.[3] The book includes analysis of religious groups like the Church of Scientology, the Children of God, Jonestown, and Heaven's Gate; self-help networks and rehabilitation centers like Synanon (to which Montell has a personal connection through her father[2]) and NXIVM; multi-level marketing schemes like Amway; fitness societies like SoulCycle, CrossFit, and Peloton; and political groups and affiliations like QAnon.[2][4][5]

Reception

Reviewers have noted the colloquial style of the work. Erin Downey Howerton for Booklist, for example, writes that "[r]eading Montell is like a satisfying chat session with your bestie [best friend]—albeit one that focuses on obsession, language tricks, and manipulation".[6] A reviewer for Kirkus Reviews called the book's prose "accessible".[1]

Scholars overall viewed Montell's book as a good introduction for non-scholars to some concepts in the academic study of new religious movements. Lowe for Nova Religio writes that the book is a "fascinating example of a nonacademic telling academics what they already know with a clarity that seems like revelation".[2] Academic Jennifer Wilson for The New Republic writes that "most people who read Cultish will feel convinced they have, at some point in their lives, been in a cult".[7] One reviewer for Publishers Weekly notes that "the personal digressions… occasionally distract from the bigger picture", but they overall believe that Montell is an engaging and informed narrator.[8]

Adaptation into docuseries

Topic Studios received the rights to adapt Cultish into a television documentary series in November 2022, as reported by Deadline.[9] The documentary series will feature those groups discussed in the book. The series is being produced with help from Montell and Carly Hugo and Matt Parker of the studio Loveless.[9]

References

  1. 1 2 "Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism". Kirkus Reviews. 89 (10). May 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Lowe, Scott (2022). "Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism". Nova Religio. 25 (3): 151–2.
  3. ↑ Gilbert, Sophie (2021-06-10). "We Choose Our Cults Every Day". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2022-10-04.
  4. ↑ Henley, Tara (31 August 2021). "Five new titles on how cultish tendencies abound". Globe & Mail. pp. A12.
  5. ↑ Wakeman, Jessica (2021-06-08). "Cultish". BookPage. Retrieved 2022-10-04.
  6. ↑ Howerton, Erin Downey (May 2021). "Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism". Booklist. 117 (18): 5.
  7. ↑ Wilson, Jennifer (2021-06-28). "How to Spot a Cult". The New Republic. ISSN 0028-6583. Retrieved 2022-10-04.
  8. ↑ "Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism". Publishers Weekly. 268 (17): 71–2. June 2021.
  9. 1 2 Petski, Denise (2022-11-15). "Amanda Montell's Book 'Cultish: The Language Of Fanaticism' Being Adapted As Docuseries By Topic Studios & Loveless". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-01-02.
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