#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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Fabulous read.
I know this was a best seller and supposed to be inspiring, but the author did a lot of ‘poor me’ whining. A lot of people have had to fight harder and overcome more for their education.
I’d heard so many people say how much they loved this book. I thought it was ok.
Interesting but sometimes seemed “embeleshed”
It was a great story. Kept my interest all the way through it.
Have no interest in the author’s life.
The book gives a background to those readers who are perplexed about our politics of the conservative movement and the common folk that follow that conservative movement. I fond it informative, inspirational but tragic and scary for our nation.
Absolutely loved this book- though hard to read at times as the pain felt by the main character was often raw —
Makes you look at the world in a different way.
Although the author was impressive in her quest for education, it was basically another dysfunctional family read
On the top of my lists. Everyone should read this book.
Triune of a human been in spite of being surrounded by mental disturbed people.
Excellent book clubbook- we had a great discussion.
tragic but also inspiration telling of a young women’s life of many obstacles presented by her own family
I really enjoyed this book. It is nice to know there are others who come from crazy beginnings and can find and cultivate success.
This was a wonderful journey that made me angry on many levels. It really makes you realize how important and valuable an education is in life. It also gave me an appreciation for my own journey to achieve an education!!
I loved this book. Very interesting memoir of growing up off the grid.
I really did not like this book or its characters.
Great book!!
Remarkable memoir. A strong, determined, and incredible woman.