by Tara Westover
Hardcover- $13.99
#1 NEW YORK TIMES, WALL STREET JOURNAL, AND BOSTON GLOBE BESTSELLER • One of the most acclaimed books of our time: an unforgettable ...
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This book was hard to put down. Ms. Westover had such an unusual childhood due to her bipolar, zealous father, her subservient, homeopathic mother, and one extremely abusive brother. Because of her Mormon upbringing and the eccentric teachings of her father, I could understand how breaking ties with some family members was such a struggle for her. So impressed with her ability to obtain multiple college degrees without formal education at the elementary or secondary levels and very little exposure to world events while growing up.
Educated, Tara Westover, author; Julia Whelan, narrator
The author was raised in Idaho near a beautiful mountain called Bucks Peak. There was no record of her birth, and she never attended school. This is her inspiring story. Her parents were Fundamental Mormons who brought her up to be self-sufficient and modest in dress and behavior. Her mother, Faye, was a talented herbalist and an unlicensed midwife. Her father, Gene, was a survivalist who ran a junk yard, dealt in scrap metal and took odd construction jobs, locally. He was the master of his home and believed that a woman’s place was as a homemaker and mother. All of the children became part of his crew at one point or another in their lives, when necessary. Many sustained life-threatening injuries because of a lack of judgment and/or common sense. Their father believed that G-d would guide him and them. They all fell under the spell of their father, to a greater or lesser degree. Gene believed he communicated directly with his G-d and always had the one right way, even when tragedy occurred because of his foolish decisions. He believed whatever happened was G-d’s will, and G-d would always provide and care for them. Angels would guide them, and they would not be given more to deal with than they could handle. He was sure the end of days was coming, and he prepared for it, hoarding food and burying fuel underground.
Neither of Tara’s parents seemed quite stable. They were afraid of hospitals which might poison them; they were afraid of schools which might brainwash them. They were fanatic in their beliefs, and Tara’s formative years were sheltered from the outside world. She was often subjected to abuse by one of her brothers which went unnoticed or ignored by both of her parents. Her father believed females needed to be taught how to behave properly. If she accused her brother of hurting her, he demanded proof. Often, she had no one to protect her.
When, for some odd reason, she was allowed to apply to college, never having been to public school, Tara spent hours studying for the ACT. Her home schooling had been sparse at best, but her brother encouraged her because it was the path he had followed. On her second attempt she did well enough to enter Brigham Young University. She was out of place, unworldly and dressed differently than the other student, having no prior knowledge of anything worldly beside the religious books she had read and the medicines she had made with her mom. She was adept at construction with her brothers and fathers but had no idea about something so simple as basic hygiene.
Growing up, Tara did no know what she was missing, but as she entered the world, the opportunities and education she was exposed to caused tremendous conflict within her. She began to see the difference between her world and everyone one else’s world. She began to question her lifestyle.
As Tara describes her life, set firmly in the current events of the times, it is hard to believe that she and her family could survive so many mishaps intact, without the benefit of medical care or education. It is hard to believe that life was able to fulfill her dreams. She has written her memoir clearly and succinctly as she tells the story of a young girl who was both sheltered and abused. The miracle of that young girl’s success and her ability to break out of the mold she was in and grow to the person she is now, is the highlight of the book. The book is stirring as it illustrates the miraculous possibilities one can hope for and achieve against all the odds placed in the way. Without the inner strength and insight Tara possessed, it would have been impossible.
An open and honest memoir, the author demonstrates vulnerability in sharing her story, her families story that began with her extreme survivalist upbringing. Her courageous steps to heal and recover are inspiring. What is truth? What is ones own personal truth? #selfdoubt #bipolardisorder #survialist #familyviolence #abuse #emotionalabuse #abusivereligion #distortedperceptions
Hard to believe this is a true story, amazing how Tara survives her family .
Tara Westover provides us with a look into her father's controlling and ever-growing strange behavior as he "protects" his family from the government. He puts his children in harm's way by having them perform manual labor that would be dangerous for an adult male, much less a ten-year-old girl. Her story of survival is absorbing.
I found this book to be really interesting. At times I though I was reading a book if fiction. Could not believe all that Westover went through and how she survived
Truly enjoyed reading this articulate, intimate look into Tara Westover’s unbelievable reality. It felt naked and true. She masterfully detailed the powerful bonds and shackles of family and how they shape, and stretch her concept of self.
This books evokes a strong emotional reaction, albeit one of anger and frustration. It is difficult at times to know this is a work of non-fiction but inspiring to see how much the author has overcome.
you can read the summary of the story for yourself.
This is a memoir...i have read others that are difficult to comprehend such as this one...The Glass Castle, The Glad Farm. so i know there are tough stories out there. It was an interesting read but I can also see where some might find some sections "far fetched". I do find it a bit difficult to figure out how someone with no formal education makes their way to a PhD from Cambridge and finds the money for incidentals such as travel, food, etc. But I also know that many have lived through unimaginable circumstances -- that unless you yourself have come from a smililar community its hard to imagine.
Worth the read.
I could totally believe the author’s account of her life experiences. There are so many people whose life has not mirrored my milk toast existence. We owe these people the courtesy of learning about less than developmentally appropriate experiences.
A page turner, in the sense that you always want to know more about the narrator’s life. Overall, it’s an interesting read and easy to connect with the narrator.
I really enjoyed this memoir, though I feel there is more to this story. I do wonder if, years from now when certain people are no longer living, if the author will publish a second memoir to fill in the blanks. While at times I did question the accuracy of what was written, I never felt that this was malicious; rather the usual effect of time and the usual biases of human mind. Similarly, I suspect that what has been omitted has been omitted strategically, rather than simply forgotten.
Such a beautiful and heart wrenching story. It’s hard to imagine a person living such a life but also so inspiring to see what she overcame. I love this book and it’s a must read.
The human spirit can be an incredible thing - to withstand and overcome such twisted oppression disguised as religious purity. What makes one person cower and succumb to the perpetrator, while another resists, despite her inferior physical strength, and risks losing everyone and everything upon which her identity rests?
Educated is a riveting story of the author's struggle to obtain an education against the wishes or her survivalist family. Westover's struggle to obtain an education speaks volumes about how easy it is to lose or at least cloister way independent thinking..
I could not put this book down. Relatable, painful, beautiful, and inspiring.
- Impacta el control mental de unas personas sobre otras
- me generó dudas sobre nuestro "modelo"de educación
- Admiración por Tara. Tuvo el valor y el coraje para estudiar
- Me gustan los libros que me generan tristeza porque se van a acabar
- Me impresionaron los dilemas en los que estaba Tara
- Ideas tabús sobre los mormones
CALIFICACION:
TEMA: 10
NARRATIVA 8, TRADUCCIÓN 4
PERSONAJES: 9
FLUYE: 10
QUE ME DEJO: 10
PROMEDIO: 94
this was not my cup of tea. Maybe i am not a fan of memoirs. Memories are fickle and she states many times that there are differing accounts of some of the incidents that happened. She was a naturally bright girl that left her hometown and had success. There are so many other more interesting stories to be told.
Loved this memoir because it is so interesting to look into other upbringings so different from mine and what a huge role family and religion played into her life.
Tara Westover did not attend school until she was 17 years old. She was self taught and managed to get into Brigham Young University as well as Cambridge and Harvard. I do not understand how, when so many members of their church and community knew of this family, why no one notified the authorities that there was a family will several children not seeing a doctor or attending school. Even though she has some small jobs to go along with her scholarships, how did she afford to travel to the Mid East, Paris and back and forth to Idaho.
A wonderful read about family and love and dysfunction and the pull we all experience from the human connection and the difficult steps to move forward.
Inspiring and harrowing story of a woman who found her own voice after years of being told how to think and how the world operates in an isolating family.
Hard to read the abuse she endured by her father and brother but happy that she finally got away from her crazy family.
I’m on the fence about this book. The author contradicts herself in a few places. But, one must remember that she suffered severe emotional trauma, so her memories might be contradictory.
To go through what Tara Westover went through and to come out of it with a PhD and any sort of self-confidence is nothing short of miraculous.
It ends before the author’s personal journey is complete; she is unable to really reflect on the horrors she went through. It needed to be more critical of religion and the power of poisonous men, etc
When I moved to the Midwest as a teen, I was introduced to the LDS culture. I was impressed that the culture did not dictate the writing of this book, but gave details to support and inform the reader. I also, found it amazing how the author was able to write and describe the strength that it takes to take on your family. Very inspiring!!
This was a very tough topic and Tara is extremely brave to tell her story!
It was very well written and though, at times, hard to read because of content I enjoyed it a great deal. Being presented with human struggle outside the bubble you live in gives a perspective and broader understanding/tolerance of your fellow human beings.
It is powerful throughout. I’m still thinking about the last sentence.
This is a memoir by Tara Westover. The family exists and the stories of her upbringing in a survivalist home in southern Idaho are true ....(to the best of her memory and her journal entries). It’s a heartbreaking story where Tara has to give up her family over the fact that her parents won’t admit that her brother is abusive. The family is Mormon and the females have no say, and must conform to male rule. Tara is brave and crosses Mormon and family boundaries that control her life. Her story of suppression continues past the pages of this book. Her parents have hired an attorney to sue her, for her memoir and the fact that it reflects poorly on them.
An amazing story. Tara’s ongoing courage and resiliency and her ability to navigate obstacles that would deter most is beyond comprehension.
Slow to read in the middle but definitely worth finishing!
Good read. A bit sad, but good exciting twists in the plot.
Great read especially for a first time author. Gripping and very moving.
I struggled with some of the physical bodily harm. I loved this part. “I began to experience the most powerful advantage of money: the ability to think of things besides money.”
It was unconvincing. I had a difficult time believing the author had such terrible things happen to her and all of her family. It was also hard to believe that after being kept out of school for her entire life, she was able to excel at college work?
This book caught me by surprise. I was fascinated with the authors re-account of her life and her honesty and confusion about her own story. Her writing was compelling and addictive and also completely frustrating in the way that thought provoking books are. One of my favorite reads this year!
Excellent writing. Insightful and inspiring for people in situations like this.
A sensational page-turner, heart-rending and brutal--a tale of escape, abandonment, subordinate roles of women and finally of overcoming and self-awareness via education. Sometimes difficult to read because of brutality. Some readers found story exaggerated and implausible. All were impressed with author's tenacity and accomplishment.
Impossible to put down and beautifully written. An incredible insight into another world. Heartbreaking, but with a powerful message.
This book was written wonderfully. The author did a great job explaining her troubles and her triumphs.
Not always easy to read some of the challenges faced in this true bio, but worth the effort. Determination guides the author in a challenging and rewarding journey to obtain the education all deserve.
Poorly written, repetitive and characters never developed
An amazing true story of a girls journey growing up in a Mormon home and how she became “ Educated”. Truly inspiring!
Amazingly honest and candid memoir of living with someone with bipolar/schizophrenia disease. So many reading this can relate somehowâ?¦..
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