#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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This book had so much hype that I was worried I wouldn’t be able to form my own opinions about it, but I’m actually very happy to say that this is one of my favorite books of 2020 so far. I guess the hype was spot on.
Westover’s introspection into her mental and emotional upbringing leads to an excellently well rounded narrative about her experiences as a child and young adult. It’s incredibly insightful, and though her experiences are unique to say the least, it is somehow still wonderfully relatable.
Oh my word. I am speechless after reading this book. A friend of mine suggested I read it, and it took me a couple of months to do so. I am not sure why I kept putting it off. I do have a couple of friends that are Mormon, but reading a book about Mormon upbringing did not appeal to me. I have never been more wrong. What an inspiration Tara is! She would probably argue that point, but I saw her as a strong woman who stood up in the face of trial, had a dream and went after it. This story will be sticking with me for awhile, if not always.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Not an easy read, but interesting. Hard to believe that someone with limited education could succeed the way the author has, but since this is a memoir, I suppose it’s true!! An inspiration for anyone ‘stuck’ in an impossible situation.
This is a good story of a girl trapped in a world that is all to familiar for those of us who live in rural areas that attract the End-of-Days people. I found that I read the book quickly and did enjoy it, but I was frustrated with Ms. Westover’s continual returning to a family that, when compared with others she knew, was detrimental to any sort of progress for her and certainly for them. I was frustrated why as her worldly and academic education grew she could not seem to understand her father’s and brother’s issues.I also question why people were so anxious to help her. She never really tells us why professors nominated her for the awards, scholarships, and fellowships. From what she says, it was not because she made good grades or was a particularly good student. It is a good read, but I still have a lot of questions that I would like answered.
Transforming
The glimpse into the life of the author Tara Westover brought forth so many emotions. Some of the emotions were so foreign to me; yet others I knew. The words and emotions of Tara’s life are not only powerful; but also vivid. As I read this book I was able to feel as though I was there, and everything that goes along with it. The authentic way in which the author was able to bring forth every emotion & thought of her childhood and into her adult life will change you, I know it changed me.
The hope inside this book can sometimes be lost; but if you look deep enough you will find it. It’s a tiny thread that’s throughout the whole book, even to the very last page. The book is a slice of the authors life, not the end, just a small slice of it. That Tara was able to put pen to paper and re-live this is amazingly powerful unto itself. That she allowed us to peer into her mind is truly a blessing.
I highly recommend this book, but I do need to mention that you will feel a lot of emotions. If you feel like you have to step away from the book for a bit that’s ok too. Any book that is so powerful can and will change the reader. I just feel like I can not do justice to this book. I hope you will give it a chance and read it also.
A memoir of author Tara Westover. She tells a story of growing up in a Mormon family in Idaho that does not believe in public education. With a father and brother who are manic depressive and a mother who will not stand up for her, Tara confronts how she will strive for stability and the quest for knowledge in her life.
This was an excellent book although it made me sad and angry that a child had to go through this. It was interesting that she explained both sides of the story at times. Very interesting book.
This might be the best memoir I’ve ever read
An insightful and revealing look at the culture of survivalism, the paranoia that often comes with mental illness and living through physical and emotional abuse. It gives a visceral look at the power the abuser has over the abused and the power of your family of origin, regardless of the dysfunction of that family, long after you have left them. Insightful story.
Very well written and insightful
Exactly as good as everyone says it is. Just read it – you’ll be glad you did.
Thought provoking story about a family whose spiritual beliefs cause them to live almost 100% off the grid. They story focuses on how the seven kids are raised and educated. It introduced me to a perspective I didn’t know existed or understand. Great story telling too!
Educated by Tara Westover is an excellent autobiography of the life journey of a young woman that has literally overcome every hurdle to obtain her current status.
To see how this woman was brought up in such extreme circumstances in an “off the grid” survivalist/fundamentalist family in rural Idaho, and know that she does not carry the weight of those burdens that she has shed was very moving. It was truly heartbreaking to see all of the hurt and struggles she had to experience. This was not a rosy story. It was real, gutting, and brought tears to my eyes several times.
Excellent read. 5/5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Random House for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
A very interesting, absorbing, insightful memoir; “EDUCATED” tells the true story of the author’s life as a child in a very religious Mormon family… Tara Westover was brought up to be Mormon and a survivalist. No contact with the outside world. No internet, to television or telephones. She lived a very plain, uneventful life were “Going out” means going to church on Sundays. Her parents and brother are abusive and her parents gaslight her keeping her ignorant of the outside world. They admonish her for wanting to “Book learning in the classes she takes. Tara decides to escape her sheltered, abusive, uneducated life and later becomes a famous academic.
This book was interesting. It did remind me a lot of “Little House on the prairie.” as everyone has written. Especially when Tara finally leaves the prairie and becomes something. Like everyone else I was confused with the year, this was happening? was it in the 60s or the 90″s? I guessed the 90s when there was no internet, however, I’m not sure now. I will have to look again..lol. Also, I thought she kept coming back to her family because all in all she still loved them and wanted to help them. (That’s what I think) lol. All in love this very compelling, heartbreaking, ly sad memoir kept my interest to its end. I am glad I finally was able to read a free ARC copy of this book. on NETGALLY.COM AND I thank them for giving me this chance. I’ve wanted to read it for a long time now.
Inspiring and wonderfully written
A homeschooled/unschooled girl escapes an abusive, fundamentalist home in Idaho to make her way to college and beyond, educating herself as she goes. But she keeps going home to the family she loves, in spite of everything, thinking that she can “make things right.”
Different than anything I ever have read. Highly recommend!
One of the best books I have read in years.
Beautifully written. It gives the reader many things to think about.