#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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I understand this is a story about a girl who made her way out of an abusive family with the help of a good education. However it made me think of how education changed and shaped me and the process of that change.
What a wonderful book. Tara’s story of her family was just overwhelming. Her father with bi-polar and her mother catered to and obeyed her father. Somehow, she decided she wanted to go to school although she had never attended school. The story of her “education” is absolutely amazing.
This true story reveals the life of a young Mormon girl who fights her way out of her mentally unstable father’s grip. Ms. Westover tells of growing up in a tight-knit but emotionally and physically demanding and at times abusive household. This is a story of courage, determination, and isolation.
This autobiography is tragic and inspirational. It’s the story of an amazing woman who overcame overwhelming odds to earn her education which culminates in a PhD.
Tara Westover is a true survivor and triumphs over an unimaginable childhood. Her courage and resourcefulness will amaze you.
A wonderful autobiography of a young woman who had a desire/passion for living and learning about the outside world. The family life is tragic and in some parts, I had to stop reading because of the traumatic events. BUT, I always had to get back to the family and to Tara. Very interesting book that is hard to put down
even with bad/sad parts.
A difficult, heart-rending, sometimes unbelievable read…
This was an excellent story of an amazing woman’s growth in spite of coming from an abusive survivalist family. She never was allowed to attend school, and the tiny amount of home schooling she received never halted her desire to learn. The abuse in her family was frightening and tacitly approved. Her tenacity in pursuing advanced degrees with no emotional nor financial support from her family is inspirational.
This is a true account of a young woman who lives in Idaho. You meet her and travel thru her life as she recounts living off the grid, and her education, the trials of her family. It is inspiring.
An excellent read
This memoir was fascinating. It triggered almost all of my emotions, from anger and sadness, to hope and happiness. It is well written and hard to put down.
How did someone who grew up in that family ever write this book and ever achieve what she has accomplished? Remarkable. Shocking. Inspiring. Brava for what Tara Westover has accomplished in her life and for this book, which never feels self-congratulatory and never sinks to hyperbole, name calling, or accusation.
I must admit that I was not looking forward to reading yet another memoir. So many feel so simplistic and have a “look at me” type feel to them. This book was different. It felt as thought the author was letting us in on her journey to sort things out in her life. It was like reading a book of fiction- well organized, well-written and well told – yet all the while knowing this was a true story.
This tale of survival is told though the eyes of love and forgiveness and hope. The author obviously struggles to determine how to feel about her family and the events that shaped their lives and feelings toward each other. Even in remembering the abuse and neglect she experienced, the author obviously loves her parents and siblings. Having outsiders open doors to educational opportunities for her changed her life and gave her some distance and perspective on the events of her life. Her world and world view were broadened and helped break the cycle in which much of her family remained.
While religion (Mormonism) played a key role in her story, the story was more about mental illness and control than about true faith. This is definitely a memoir worth reading and really makes the reader think. Highly recommended!
I am always impressed with a memoir of success against the odds. As disadvantaged as she was because of her lack of receiving an education, I was more impressed with her ability to overcome the mental effects of being physically and emotionally abused. I guess having much of it come from an older brother was very unexpected for me. I expect parents to stop that.
I could say so much more, but I don’t want to mark this as having spoilers, so I will just say it is very inspiring. I feel like such a slacker!
This memoir is amazing. Tara Westover is a phenomenal writer, who tells her story with honesty, heart, and grit. Her story is truly heartbreaking and heartwarming. I couldn’t put it down.
Wonderful memoir that read like a novel. Eye-opening story that was easy to read and will have you rooting for Tara as she discovers her true self and her own worthiness.
Incredible writing, brilliant author, couldn’t put it down.
Very eye opening autobiography of a woman who grew up with no formal schooling & with a father who oppressed the entire family. What an inspiration to see what she’s done with her life!
I didn’t care for the book. Found it unrealistic and couldn’t be true. I read reviews by family members and friends who said she made a lot up, parents weren’t as portrayed, incidents didn’t happen etc. Maybe this biased me. I found too many inconsistencies myself. It came highly recommend by our librarian who knows my taste in books, memoirs being the favorite. I’m not going to recommend it or not recommend it. The reader must judge for him/her self.
I didn’t think this story would be much more than “I did this in education”. How wrong I was. The title is quite misleading. The author’s story is a horror tale of growing up in one of the wackiest families ever. And living to tell how she got out, just barely, but out. I read non-stop for three nights hoping there was a semi-happy ending. You read it and see if you would call it happy or something else.