#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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Haunting and triumphant; disturbing and inspiring. This true story explores the complexities of family relationships and our memories of events, of overcoming harsh limitations and finding our true voice.
I found it amazing that this is a true story. It was so hard not to yell at the dysfunctional characters. To read where this woman came from, what she had to overcome, and to see her on the other side was a ride, most of us would not have survived.
Very interesting looking into this families life. Tara is amazing, she decided to improve her life and be herself instead of bending to the families pressure
Well written and rich emotions. Opens your eyes to an entire different world. Make you realize that there are children who have tragic homes and reminds you to always look beyond outward appearances.
I decided to read Educated after so many suggestions, the first pages I felt a little lost because I really didn’t know anything about the book or the story, I went in completely blinded and I’m so happy that I did..
This is the real story of Tara Westover a story that really captivate me and made me feel so many emotions the author was describing, her sadness, her rage and even when she couldn’t talk I felt the desperation for her to open up and finally say something about what was happening, also the heartwrenching moments when she wanted to confide in someone and found herself alone without not knowing what to do. especially her relationship with her mother I totally saw myself in that picture.
“When my mother told me she had not been the mother to me that she wished she’d been, she became that mother for the first time.”
so many great things to say about this book but what really captivated me and made me feel hope is no matter how your world supposed to be, no matter if you are navigating in a world that was created by your parents and beliefs.. your true calling will always make it through, no matter how much those around you try to stop you and make you believe that maybe you’re not good enough or that the life you chose is not the one you really want or deserve.. when something is for you it will be and it will find its way no matter how much the things around you or the people around you are trying to do it so..
“Everything I had worked for, all my years of study, had been to purchase for myself this one privilege: to see and experience more truths than those given to me by my father, and to use those truths to construct my own mind.”
Educated really made me feel hope, to meet people like Dr.Runciman and Dr.Kerry I wish there were more people like them, people who will embrace you and see your true potential and help you achieve to be the best version of yourself.. I can’t recall how many times in my life I have searched for someone like them. someone who will finally see the light and push me true..
“It’s strange how you give the people you love so much power over you, I had written in my journal. But Shawn had more power over me than I could possibly have imagined. He had defined me to myself, and there’s no greater power than that.”
So many great people surrounded Tara her brothers were amazing I really love Tyler since the very first chapters and then Tom and Richard I’m glad they were there to help.. and it pains me to see how many deserted Taras claims without even giving her the chance to have a place in her life..
“But vindication has no power over guilt. No amount of anger or rage directed at others can subdue it, because guilt is never about them. Guilt is the fear of one’s own wretchedness. It has nothing to do with other people.”
Overall it was an amazing book with so many emotions, that showed me how much we can achieve no matter how many NO’s and walls life and circumstances are puttying us in our paths. so happy for Tara to be able to achieve so much. I hope one day your other siblings finally see you from who you’re rather than the lies or the picture they had created in their minds.
At first I was captivated by the author’s tale of her life and the hardships she suffered throughout her years spent in the clutches of her father, a religious zealot, her mother, a woman with no spine and no individuality, and one of her brothers, a roaring misogynist who believes it his right–even his duty–to abuse the women who enter his life. However, midway through the memoir, a found the tale becoming repetitive. I am not sure Westover convinced me that her recollection of her “escape” was sincere.
Not sure I believe everything I read.
It was the reality of one young girl who survives the chains of her father’s mental illness, their religion, and her families’ poverty. In the end she does make something of herself by herself…no real help from family. You feel sorry for the author in this autobiographical story.
Incredible true story of a young girl with a unique upbringing. This book is inspirational and brings a new perspective most of us have never experienced. Filled with stories that are unlike anything I’ve heard before.
Wonderful inspirational read. Very moving.
I expected the genre to be in The Great Depression. Shocking to discover this took place so few years ago. Tara Westover is an inspirational writer.
Julia Whelan narrates both The Great Alone and Tara Westover’s Educated so best not to listen to the two audiobooks in succession as we did. There are other similarities between these two books including controlling dysfunctional fathers. You can read more about the family and listen to Tara sing in our discussion group. The Walking Book Club ratings:
Motivation to Move: 3.9 Sneakers
Narration: 4 Sneakers
Overall Experience: 4 Sneakers
Loved it
One of the most incredible and thought provoking memoirs of all time.
I was very caught up with tara’s unbelievable childhood, and her natural inner strengths.
I am reading at the moment; it sure holds many attentions!
Shawn(aka Travis) needs serious help before he kills someone. What Tara went through is dreadful and the fact that her parents are in complete denial makes me speechless. One the flip side, in her book, Tara will tell you it wasn’t all bad, but what she didn’t know was pretty much all of it wasn’t normal to most people. Tara was incredibly brave to defy her parents wishes and some of her family to become the person she is today…….strong, independent, tenacious, unbelievably insightful.
Tara did an excellent job describing the abuse and family dysfunction from HER perspective. I yruly admired her strength and ambition to succed despite all of her obstacles. I would highly recommend reading.
I really enjoyed this book… it takes you through many emotions! I admit, it was a slow start for me, but I am so glad I stuck with it!
I found it entertaining and frustrating- felt that every character needed a good comeupance (or a beating) at various times during the course of the story.