Educated
By Tara Westover
- Release Date: 2018-02-20
- Genre: Biographies & Memoirs
Description
#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 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
ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: 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
Reviews
5 Stars
5By Grace ConwellIncredible story written by an incredible woman. Chills the entire time. Talk about character arc.I enjoyed the book
5By Ivy FaelzExcellent book.A brave story
5By sofieeeeeeeooxoTara was and is powerful reading this was chilling. A story about self finding, family hardship and passion.Fantastic read!
5By Cdolente7Mesmerizing from start to finish!Great book
5By MissrorohickA brave story.Well written. Couldn’t put this one down
5By CmonfolksThis story was so well written I could actually picture each setting as though I were there in the background as the events were unfolding. The author re-tells her young life’s experiences so well. Her strength and perseverance is nothing short of amazing, not just for a child, but for any adult. I highly recommend this book.Overwhelming but there are some flaws
4By 🦊🐼🍯Tara’s wording and narrations are fascinating, however, I believe there are some made-up parts and exaggeration. This book is overwhelming and encouraging, but the ending is quite interrupt I think, especially when she break with her family members.A gem
5By Zulu HelicopterThe narrative is fascinating and the prose is beautiful, but the insight is the real gem here.Powerful
5By CollettsixSuch a real, raw unfiltered view of one's own life and education!!!Beautifully crafted poignant memoir
5By susannahermanaI couldn’t put it down. Fascinating factual story ( being raised by survivalist narcissistic parents ). Definitely recommend!