#1 NEW YORK TIMES, WALL STREET JOURNAL, AND BOSTON GLOBE BESTSELLER • One of the most acclaimed books of our time: an unforgettable memoir about a young woman who, kept out of school, leaves her survivalist family and goes on to earn a PhD from Cambridge University “Extraordinary . . . an act of courage and self-invention.”—The New York Times NAMED ONE OF THE TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE NEW … Times
NAMED ONE OF THE TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW • ONE OF PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA’S FAVORITE BOOKS OF THE YEAR • BILL GATES’S HOLIDAY READING LIST • FINALIST: National Book Critics Circle’s Award In Autobiography and John Leonard Prize For Best First Book • PEN/Jean Stein Book Award • Los Angeles Times Book Prize
Born to survivalists in the mountains of Idaho, Tara Westover was seventeen the first time she set foot in a classroom. Her family was so isolated from mainstream society that there was no one to ensure the children received an education, and no one to intervene when one of Tara’s older brothers became violent. When another brother got himself into college, Tara decided to try a new kind of life. Her quest for knowledge transformed her, taking her over oceans and across continents, to Harvard and to Cambridge University. Only then would she wonder if she’d traveled too far, if there was still a way home.
“Beautiful and propulsive . . . Despite the singularity of [Westover’s] childhood, the questions her book poses are universal: How much of ourselves should we give to those we love? And how much must we betray them to grow up?”—Vogue
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The Washington Post • O: The Oprah Magazine • Time • NPR • Good Morning America • San Francisco Chronicle • The Guardian • The Economist • Financial Times • Newsday • New York Post • theSkimm • Refinery29 • Bloomberg • Self • Real Simple • Town & Country • Bustle • Paste • Publishers Weekly • Library Journal • LibraryReads • Book Riot • Pamela Paul, KQED • New York Public Library
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So much to overcome!
Amazing what some people overcome and go on to make a difference in the world.
Our book club read this and we were highly impressed. Her historian writing style was intriguing and inspirational. She forced us to appreciate her situation and simply continue reading in awe while she showed us her childhood and the challenges she overcame.
I did not understand the point of this book No conclusion. Questions are being raised about it’s validity
Truth is stranger than fiction in this true story of a girl growing up with her siblings in an isolated area of the western United States. Her parents are convinced that the government, including public education and health care, are to be avoided. This book was an excellent read! Highly recommend!
I wasn’t sure how I felt when I finished. No, that’s not exactly true. I felt pretty bad for Ms. Westover, I shook my head at her upbringing and the outlandish actions of some family members. While she has a story of success to tell, she also has a story of family dysfunction with a capital “D.”
There were (many) times when I thought, could this really be true? Could this have happened? What is wrong with these people? Mostly that last part. I have no idea how any of them survived given the accidents, explosion, physical abuse. There were also many times when I thought, “it’s true, truth is stranger than fiction.”
such amazing book! it was an eye opener and super inspiring! sometimes your around something so long you start to not know what’s normal and what’s not. I’ve for sure been there and then you start to think you’re the crazy one until you finally see things from and outsiders perspective. I really felt I could relate a lot of times with her. I finished this one in one sitting!
This story left me stunned and inspired. What a life. What a lesson. I highly recommend this book, but know it will take you on a crazy emotional journey of anger, frustration, fear, humiliation and warm comforting love. It’s quite a ride and so worth the effort to share in this girl’s real life journey.
A testament to the human spirit b
Wow! I could not put this book down. I read it in two days!
Great book!!!
This book was based on a true story. This story was amazing to me. Some books you know will stay with you forever…. this is one of those !
I thought it was well written. Interesting family dynamic. Amazing how she overcame the challenges put on her.
Excellent read
The life experiences of the author seem unrealistic in the beginning, as you read on, reality sets in causing the reader to question how a family could exist in the turmoil of their lives. As an educator, I have experienced incidents in the lives of some students similar to this family but never such a tremendous burden. This is a tough read as one gets so caught up in the dysfunction of the family and each individual member.
One of the most innovative books I have read in a long time. I read it very quickly and had a hard time putting it down. I hated and loved some of these family members.
This book was not an easy read! Very inspiring– her perseverance, the impact of those who saw and nurtured her strengths, the author’s own resilience….but some graphic and very difficult physical challenges through serious accidents that are hard to read, and very painful for the family members. Still an important book and
oe that opens one’s eyes to challenges so many need to overcome (and some of
the beliefs underlying these life choices and perspectives.
I listened to this on Audible (one of my favorite narrators). There is a lot to say and think about in this memoir. Some things are just mind boggling and you really want to be able to stop the audio and ask some questions. A great listen and “educational” story.
I really enjoyed this book while following Tara on her journey to freedom from her Mormon ties, family, and her own demons.
Tara finds her authentic self by separating herself from her familys overzealous beliefs and ignorance thus enriching her life through education. Most times she feels like she doesn’t fit in or belongs whether it was life with family or her education. A memoir of self discovery.
Along my long and meandering path of procrastination as I reluctantly worked on writing my biography project, Viking Funeral The Epic Failed Autobiography of Dave Linane Who Unexpectedly Woke Up Dead…, I also read this autobiography. It was on the NYT #1 spot in Non-Fiction. In order to ‘learn’ how to write a biography, I set out to read all the best biographies and autobiographies I could get my hands on…for a time. One can only procrastinate so long.
I cannot give it five stars because I was quite horrified throughout the book by the manner in which this ‘religious’ family lived devoid of common sense, in some cases common decency and in denial of reality. I was even more disappointed that the experience took place in the relatively recent past in the U.S. The backward nature of some people who refuse to trust their eyes over their interpretation of their religious beliefs was infuriating. The manner by which these parents continually put their children at risk, in torturous ways, conveniently in the name of the Lord’s will was sickening to me.
I was never so relieved to finish a book and I have read plenty of Steven King scary stuff that you want to run away from. I always ask the question, am I better off having read this? I am going to say no. I am not better off having read this. I already knew there were crazy people in the world doing weird things behind the doors of their home. I also know success stories can come from anywhere but I don’t think we need to suffer with them to understand the reality that it happens or to appreciate the situation.
I read many reviews as I always do before purchasing. I read reviews from every level to try to get a well-rounded feeling. I think most people LOVED this book. I give it four stars because it is impeccably written. If you want to be stressed out about the fate of a young girl growing up in a backward family compound lost in their fearful interpretation of religion depicted in perfect form, this is the book for you.
It was amazing how an ignorant girl who was abused overcame her background and made something of herself.