Educated: A Memoir

Tara Westover's "Educated: A Memoir" is a compelling and at times infuriating account of one woman's remarkable journey from a life of isolation and ignorance to one of education, enlightenment, and self-discovery. This memoir delves deep into the complexities of family, faith, and the pursuit of knowledge, leaving readers with a mix of emotions that range from anger and frustration to admiration. Westover (the author) grew up in rural Idaho with a family that adhered to extreme religious and survivalist beliefs. Her parents' decision to forgo formal education and conventional medical care had profound consequences on Tara's upbringing, and that tends to be a focal point of the story. The book recounts the neglect, abuse, and outright danger she faced growing up, often (or always) at the hands of her own family members. I frequently found myself deeply appalled by the myriad ways in which Tara's family failed her, both emotionally and physically- so it was a bit difficult to read. As Tara strives for self-improvement through education, the book also exposes the challenges she faces when confronting her family's beliefs and her own internalized guilt and doubt. The memoir highlights the inherent tension between Tara's desire for knowledge and her loyalty to her family and upbringing. This internal struggle is a central theme throughout the narrative and adds depth to her story. Again, I found this to be really frustrating because, as the reader, her family's cruelty is blatant and unforgiveable, and I had a hard time sympathizing because they just were the worst. Westover's writing is evocative and brutally honest, which makes it difficult not to feel a deep sense of resentment toward her family, but it's essential to note that "Educated" is not merely a condemnation of her family's choices; it's also a testament to the power of education and the capacity for personal growth and transformation.

I found the memoir very inspirational and also disturbing at times. Tara Westover has had a remarkable life. She writes about her journey from receiving no formal schooling in her formative years to earning a Phd ! She grew up in rural Idaho to a Mormon family and her father was anti government, schools, doctors/ hospitals. Some things sounded absolutely bizarre but it was normal to them. There are many life’s lessons to be learned from this book. Her story is about self discovery, the power of education and the inner conflict of being loyal to family and also challenging their beliefs.

“In families like mine there is no crime worse than telling the truth.” —Tara Westover What does it mean to be educated? This book will make you think about what it really means to have an education—to be free to form your own opinions—and if the risks and sacrifices one might have to make in pursuit of knowledge, are worth it in the end. It’s message will both inspire and disturb you, and haunt you in your dreams. Educated is the true story about the author, Tara Westover, growing up in an isolated, dysfunctional, survivalist family with radical views, who, in contrast, live on a beautiful mountain in Idaho. As the youngest child in a family of seven—5 boys and 2 girls—Tara’s story is both heartbreaking and inspirational. Due to their father’s extreme political, religious, and moral beliefs, Tara and her siblings were not given access to medical attention or public education, nor did her parents believe in anything government related, believing it to be a system of brainwashing. The book is fairly well written and deeply poignant. It is definitely hard to put down, but it is also extremely disturbing on so many levels. There are plot holes and some timeline inconsistencies, and some horrific parts that are so emotional that they are difficult to imagine, let alone read. Tara’s experiences with her older brother, Shawn—whom she understandably both loved and hated—were not only shocking, they were heartbreaking. Equally appalling is the fact that ultimately most of the family chose to ignore or hide Shawn’s violent, unstable, abusive behavior and death threats, also choosing not to confront their father about it, even though both parents, admittedly the mother, knew what had been going on. They choose to protect it with a blind eye, possibly out of some kind of misguided family loyalty, shame, and more than likely, fear. But like Tara’s brother, Tyler, wrote in a letter to her: “This is a perverted idea of family loyalty. They claim faith, but this is not what the gospel teaches.” Once committed, Tyler never wavered in telling their truth, though it changed his relationship with his father. However, the only true hero of the story is Tara herself. Personally, I feel badly for Tara’s mother who appears to have been trapped and manipulated by her choices in a clouded vision of love, trying to keep peace. I also feel badly for Tara’s father, who was obviously in need of psychological and medical intervention. And I feel badly for each of Tara’s siblings and feel they probably coped in different ways with the only life and family they had known. None of us can really judge Tara or understand her family without having walked in their shoes. However, it is a sad fact that abusers and their enablers distort reality for their victims in order to cover up their crimes, so what Tara was able to accomplish—coming from her unhealthy broken environment—is truly remarkable!! Whether or not we become like our parents, is a choice we can all make. We can love and forgive those who have harmed us, without following in their footsteps. May this book help others in the same situation, to recognize psychological and physical abuse wrapped up in the arms of love, and find their own healing voice to break free! “You are not fool’s gold, shining only under a particular light. Whomever you become, whatever you make yourself into, that is who you always were. It was always in you. … You are gold.” —Tara Westover, Educated: A Memoir NOTE: It should be noted that the so called “Mormon” doctrine Tara was exposed to in her home, is not reflective in any way to the Christ-like loving teachings of the restored Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Tara’s view of religion was experienced through the eyes of her manipulative, controlling father, who was suffering from a bipolar type mental illness, although she didn’t know it at the time. Her father’s skewed view of religion unknowingly created numerous misconceptions in the home in which Tara was raised. All good things, when taken to an extreme, then mixed with the paranoia and darkness of mental illness, can turn good into evil.

Adorei o livro. A história é incrível. Uma menina, que é educada em casa, passa no vestibular e conta suas memórias familiares, da universidade e, depois, do seu doutorado em Cambridge. É uma trajetória impressionante. A rotina familiar é maluca. O pai um mórmon radical que vê comunistas debaixo da cama. Não admite que os filhos frequentem as escolas para não serem contaminados pela "doutrina socialista". Da mesma forma, não permite o uso de medicamentos, muito menos de ir se tratar em um hospital. A mãe, uma parteira, prepara "poções mágicas" para todo tipo de doença. Por incrível que pareça, a família se torna um sucesso comercial e renega a filha bem educada. A experiência de uma jovem aluna, sem nenhum contato prévio com a escola, nas salas de uma universidade é contada de forma agradável e engraçada. Para um professor, como eu, percebe-se uma autonomia muito maior nas universidades americanas quando comparadas com as nossas. O apoio da igreja, do estado e de bons professores é determinante no seu progresso. O livro é um sucesso. Foi recomendado pelo Bill Gates e pelo Obama. Eu também recomendo fortemente.

A bit intense at times, but very interesting reading

This is one of the most memorable books I’ve ever read.! It is interesting and so well written. Is a very intimate and honest read. With non pretentious notes. The second part is more agile than the first, but the book in the whole is amazing. I liked so much as is this portrait of a family living in a religious community and how a girl so in need of learning and reading and being educated, deals with so much prejudice and social pressure. After I finished the book I was so interested that I went on line to watch Tara Westover interviews and talks about her autobiographical experience. One of the books I will definitely remember for ever.

Really a gr8 book. This book really touched me.

This book is a must to read for everyone. Westover's writing is superb and demonstrates themes of struggles and overcoming said struggles. Before this book, I used to believe that symbolism was a lazy writing method, but the way Westover writes with it is absolutely amazing. Even as you read the last chapter, you still fondly remember all the details from chapter 1.