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A review by mal_reads_books
Educated by Tara Westover
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This is my second time reading Educated since its release five years ago. I still found it powerful, as if I'd just read it for the first time.
For this reading, I jumped between the audiobook and e-book. Julia Whelan, the narrator, was easy to listen to and perfect for the book. I preferred listening to the audiobook, though reading the physical/e-book is certainly worthwhile too.
Tara is a great storyteller. Her unique experience growing up and dealing with her family was interesting to read, though disturbing at times. Her growth in challenging her family's values, overcoming obstacles, and her desire to expand her knowledge were inspiring.
I highly recommend this book, though I advise checking content warnings (especially for DA/DV survivors).
For this reading, I jumped between the audiobook and e-book. Julia Whelan, the narrator, was easy to listen to and perfect for the book. I preferred listening to the audiobook, though reading the physical/e-book is certainly worthwhile too.
Tara is a great storyteller. Her unique experience growing up and dealing with her family was interesting to read, though disturbing at times. Her growth in challenging her family's values, overcoming obstacles, and her desire to expand her knowledge were inspiring.
I highly recommend this book, though I advise checking content warnings (especially for DA/DV survivors).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Mental illness, Car accident, Misogyny, Gaslighting, Animal death, and Racial slurs
Minor: Antisemitism, Panic attacks/disorders, and Gun violence
Seeing Tara put up with and downplay the abuse (described in detail) from her brother, and her family defending him, was difficult to read.
In chapter 20, Tara's brother insults her with the n-word more than a handful of times. Most instances are censored in the e-book, but the audiobook narrator says the word out loud.
In another chapter, Tara's brother stabs his German Shepherd to death.