Educated

By Tara Westover

Educated - Tara Westover
  • Release Date: 2018-02-20
  • Genre: Biographies & Memoirs
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 20,124 Ratings

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 BARACK OBAMA’S FAVORITE BOOKS OF THE YEAR • BILL GATES’S HOLIDAY READING LIST • A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST NONFICTION BOOK OF THE CENTURY • 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

  • Cannot find words, except…

    5
    By Emerg@ngie
    This may be the best book I’ve ever read.
  • Loved

    5
    By TOPGUN750
    Moving and original. I have never read a book quite like this one
  • Tara’s Book of Mormon

    5
    By FISHXMARKET
    It’s hard to wrap your head around the insane upbringing from a bipolar mormon extremist. Tara’s tale is brutal, eye opening, and downright disturbing. Abuse is a huge theme in her life story but she never desires pity. Instead she highlights perseverance and becoming your own savior. It’s inspirational, shocking, unique, and all too real. Truly a book you must read yourself to believe.
  • A worthwhile read

    4
    By jayman1#4&
    Educated was an interesting read. I liked the cadence, which kept me going. At first I tired of the “hick” background, but then, it became a broader metaphor for everyone separating from their family legacy.
  • A fantastically dramatic telling of my own life?

    5
    By D0M0reT@c0
    I have not been so enthralled by a book in years. As extreme as Westover’s story is it is simultaneously relatable in a way that tickles my brain and scratches an itch I didn’t know I had. 10/10 would recommend to about 1/2 of my friends.
  • Wow.

    3
    By SaraLannz
    All the unpacking and unlearning she had to do. Props to Tara for having someone point her towards a way out. She is definitely better away from her family🙏🏽 Hopefully, the family can have a different pov and her bro can get some help👀
  • Excellent!

    5
    By RaxVolt
    Tara Westover lovingly takes the reader along on her incredible harrowing journey toward learning how to love herself despite many external and internal obstacles in her way.
  • Gorgeous

    5
    By BZW Bear
    A beautifully written story with a gripping pace. Loved it.
  • Phenomenal read

    5
    By Auissia
    This is not a book I would typically go for but after seeing Tara on Oprah, I decided to give it a try. I’m very glad I did!
  • Nice read!

    5
    By sync_on99
    Wow!
  • 5 Stars

    5
    By Grace Conwell
    Incredible story written by an incredible woman. Chills the entire time. Talk about character arc.
  • I enjoyed the book

    5
    By Ivy Faelz
    Excellent book.
  • A brave story

    5
    By sofieeeeeeeooxo
    Tara was and is powerful reading this was chilling. A story about self finding, family hardship and passion.
  • Fantastic read!

    5
    By Cdolente7
    Mesmerizing from start to finish!
  • Great book

    5
    By Missrorohick
    A brave story.
  • Well written. Couldn’t put this one down

    5
    By Cmonfolks
    This 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

    4
    By 🦊🐼🍯
    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

    5
    By Zulu Helicopter
    The narrative is fascinating and the prose is beautiful, but the insight is the real gem here.
  • Powerful

    5
    By Collettsix
    Such a real, raw unfiltered view of one's own life and education!!!