#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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Great read, but difficult subject matter.
This book was stranger than fiction. What this author endured and triumphed over was mind boggling. I couldn’t put this book down.
This was one of the most interesting books I have ever read. The author’s family didn’t allow their children to go to schools. Their father wanted them off the grid. The author has to break with her family to go to school and she ends up getting her Masters. This the story of her journey to be Educated.
excellent read
One of the best books I’ve read. Ever.
Hard to believe.
I have to admit I put it down a number of times but I kept seeing it everywhere. I am glad I picked it up and read it all the way through because the end result for her was/is amazing. Extremely inspirational on all levels.
I found this book to very informative but I felt sorry for all of the characters. What horrible lives they led.
Loved Tara’s story and applaud her for speaking truth about her life. This was a courageous book written by an amazing young woman.
Very interesting memoir. Hard to believe this could go on during modern times (children surviving dysfunctional abusive family, lack formal education, parents who are crazy, fundamentalists, survivalists, anti government). Good book club discussion. Reminds me of “Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls and “The Great Alone” by Kristen Hannah.
Difficult material. Well written and engaging
Really enjoyed reading this memoir. Highly recommend.
I thought it was an excellent book, I really like reading about a real person’s struggles and how they overcame them! I say kudos to Tara for persevering and freeing herself from her bondage to her family!
The character showed true courage under terrible conditions.
She strived to better herself to escape her disturbing home and parents.
A powerful account of Tara’s journey of self-discovery. Living in a survivalist family and with no schooling until she was 17 years old, she emerges as a bright star who overcomes the deprivations of her childhood.
I was surprised I didn’t like this book more. Not as good as advertised.
One of the best autobiographies I’ve ever read. Has a great story to tell about how we learn and unlearn and relearn about ourselves and life’s meaning.
Ok story with a disappointing endeing
Strange and odd about a very disfuntional family
Great book – so had to believe this happens in the modern era!!!!!!