Theme:
A memoir about a young girl who, kept out of school, leaves her survivalist family and goes on to earn a PhD from Cambridge University.
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.
Educated is an account of the struggle for self-invention. It is a tale of fierce family loyalty and of the grief that comes with severing the closest of ties. With the acute insight that distinguishes all great writers, Westover has crafted a universal coming-of-age story that gets to the heart of what an education is and what it offers: the perspective to see one's life through new eyes and the will to change it.
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This book left me speechless. Tara's journey from an isolated mountain home with no formal education to Cambridge is nothing short of miraculous. What struck me most was her ability to tell her story with such clarity and fairness, even when describing traumatic events. It's a testament to the power of education to transform lives.
One of the most powerful memoirs I've ever read. Westover's writing is eloquent and introspective, showing remarkable maturity and perspective. The book raises important questions about family, identity, and the meaning of education. I couldn't put it down and found myself thinking about it for weeks afterward.
While the story itself is remarkable, I had some trouble with the pacing in the middle section of the book. There were moments where the narrative felt repetitive. That said, Westover's accomplishments are incredible, and her ability to overcome such significant obstacles is truly inspiring.
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