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thepetitepunk's review against another edition
5.0
The basic idea behind Educated is similar to quite a few memoirs—a family that lives off the grid faces hardships and their morals are tested as the family falls apart.
Except Tara Westover’s sheer dedication and intelligence makes this memoir stand out amongst others. Perhaps it’s because I’m a total school nerd this book resonated with me. But regardless, Westover has an obvious talent for writing. Like all memoirs, the narrator’s reliability is reasonably questionable, but still, Westover’s ability to tell a story is fantastic.
Educated will make you realize why years and years of seemingly endless education is worth our time and hard work.
Except Tara Westover’s sheer dedication and intelligence makes this memoir stand out amongst others. Perhaps it’s because I’m a total school nerd this book resonated with me. But regardless, Westover has an obvious talent for writing. Like all memoirs, the narrator’s reliability is reasonably questionable, but still, Westover’s ability to tell a story is fantastic.
Educated will make you realize why years and years of seemingly endless education is worth our time and hard work.
dinasamimi's review against another edition
4.0
I can't put my finger on this book. It's a thrilling read that took me to a place beyond myself and my worldview. Both the subtle and overt familial threads (tugging and pulling, ripping and binding) and the echos of long unrecognized childhood trauma will resonate to all kinds of readers. The overlying plot is beautiful and stands on its own. My difficulty (my hope) is that there is truth to all the smaller, unthinkable moments of violence and agony (i.e. fatal car crashes that repeat themselves, a brother's unyielding violence, impaled body parts at the stock yard, a brother's leg aflame, eventually followed by a father's own blaze). A staggering memory would knock the wind out of me, to only be followed by countless others of equally agonizing proportions. I had read an article in the New Yorker about literary hoaxes just ahead of picking up this book, so that may have fomented this frustration in me. I picked up and put down the book over and over in quick succession...questioning, wondering: could this truly be real?
literally_parvani's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
elishareids's review against another edition
5.0
One of my favourites.
Im not really an autobiography/non fiction reader but this story was amazing, so wild and compelling I recommend everyone with an open mind to pick this up. It reads like fiction so you have to remind yourself its real life.
Life for some people is completely different to the ‘norm’ so reading this really opens your eyes. Her life was so sad but so inspiring.
Read the TW of this book before reading!
Im not really an autobiography/non fiction reader but this story was amazing, so wild and compelling I recommend everyone with an open mind to pick this up. It reads like fiction so you have to remind yourself its real life.
Life for some people is completely different to the ‘norm’ so reading this really opens your eyes. Her life was so sad but so inspiring.
Read the TW of this book before reading!
alexmoody's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Animal death and Animal cruelty
tildahlia's review against another edition
3.0
This book was perfectly serviceable, but I'll admit to not quite understanding the hype? I found the parts of the story that were most interesting to me (confronting the limits of her own education, what it's like having to dramatically reposition and reframe your worldview, explanation of how she actually overcame etc) underplayed. For those wondering, it is less a book about education and more a book about family violence and abuse. As far as a book about family violence goes, it was as confronting and harrowing as you would expect, but I couldn't help hoping for it to move beyond the lengthy descriptions to a greater commentary on gender, power and dysfunction.
dreaminthepages's review against another edition
5.0
Listened to this on audiobook and it was very enjoyable and thrilling! It was interesting to learn about Tara's upbringing in a strict Mormon family and all the drama that went on in her family! I feel proud and relieved that she was able to break free from such a toxic environment and really hope her family are ok and do seek help when they need (especially for medical emergencies!). The writing was lovely and so easy to follow in audio form and the audiobook was performed brilliantly including the use of British accents!
We can all learn from Tara's book as I have also been in a similar-ish situation with certain family member and how sometimes you do yourself a favour by walking away and not repeating the cycle of hurt. It really displayed how brave and strong she was to just walk away and I respect her for this!
We can all learn from Tara's book as I have also been in a similar-ish situation with certain family member and how sometimes you do yourself a favour by walking away and not repeating the cycle of hurt. It really displayed how brave and strong she was to just walk away and I respect her for this!