#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 am hesitant to give this book four stars. It was a good read but I don’t want it in my library. The story moves well and is insightful but I am disappointed that we read so much about the authors pull between a life of emotional and physical safety and one of abuse but there is no indication of how she became “educated” (emotionally healthy) enough to find her true self. Tara, you loosened the stiffiling grip of your family, but how? What does it look like to be healthy?
Memoir that reads like a novel.
This book is unique in many ways. It’s essentially an autobiography of a girl turned woman who grew up in a highly unique and often dangerous family environment. Her father put his children through a wringer of working in dangerous situations while living under a code of religious fanaticism which shunned outside influences (including traditional education and medicine). The author not only survived all this but also managed to get admission to a major U.S. university and, with help from academicians who recognized her intellect and exceptional capabilities, attained advanced degrees from Oxford. Educated is a book of a kind.
Such a tragic story with a great will to overcome
Absolutely wonderfully written book. She keeps you intrigued with every page and truly speaks to the problems many children raised in religious households face. She beautifully describes and deals with the disillusionment every child goes through when they see their parents for who they are, faults and all. It is FASCINATING and inspirational on every level!
This is a poignant memoir about a young lady who leaves her family physically, but not entirely mentally. She feels that she and her siblings were abused by her father, who is supported by her mother, who, at times, is torn between her children and her husband, but always sides with her husband. Tara’s father appears to be obsessed with the second coming of Christ and “prepares” his family for that coming rather than allowing them to ” live” in the present world.
This book shows that if you want something bad enough, you can conquer adversity and triumph.
An eye opener!
Dit was a wonderful read but there were only one or two characters that I could say I liked. The very conservative family made me cringe as they only believed in one thing. Their treatment of the children should have had them arrested for abuse. How the writer ever escaped is mind blowing. Parents who raise children so strictly and in a one sided manner do not allow their children to grow. When the daughter gets to BYU and realizes she has been taught nothing stands out in my mind. Also the fact that the brain washing that went on as well as little concern for the health of the children allowed me to see the dangers of isolation in raising a family. It is a must read if you can stomach the brutality and negativity.
This was a memoir and the story of a very unusual childhood. Don’t miss it!
Very strong picture of a disfunctional family and the long lasting impact on children
As an Idahoan, I have been curious about some of the more extreme Mormon sects in our state. “Educated” is a very well-written, warts and all account of one woman’s experience growing up in such a sect.
Educated is a remarkably well written book of a tough life finding its way into the real world beyond her family’s junkyard and prejudices. I don’t really understand how any of them made it into chronological adulthood. I applaud her tenacity and courage. I hope everyone reads this book!
Westover tells her inspiring personal story with extraordinary honesty. Her autobiography is devoid of self-pity and one that drew me in from the very first page. I felt like a silent cheer-leader as she and her siblings endured the challenges of their day to day existence. Not since “Glass Castle” have I been so mesmerized by the indignities endured by children deprived of stable, sane parenting.
This book was very well written and was truly eye opening!
Tara Westover overcame a horrendous cildhood with a particulary sadistic brother and a bipolar father and an enabling mother to become a highly educated woman. Her path to achieving this was fraught with many setbacks – mostly mental. She had to learn to love herself and trust herself. She had wonderful professors who greatly helped and encouraged her. It is not an easy book to read. At times i had to stop reading because i was so angry at the treatment she received from her family. But this is definitely a book worht reading.
I reluctantly read this book for my book
Club and ended up loving it! I couldn’t put it down!
It’s an amazing story of a girl’s journey to escape her family’s demons. She is a survivor in every way.
Tara’s incite to what I would have deemed craziness, depravity, etc. was a wonder to behold. What a brave and grounded person. What she learned about life, she was willing to share. Such an achievement.
This was my favorite book so far this year. It deserves recognition and accolades for its content. She is a writer beyond expectation!!!