EDUCATED by Tara Westover
Book Review
Educated by Tara Westver
Educated by Tara Westover was first published on February 20, 2018. It is a memoir about growing up in a strict, isolated family in rural Idaho and the author's remarkable journey toward education, independence, and self-discovery.
Tara's childhood was marked by profound dysfunction, neglect, and isolation. Her father, who distrusted the government and rejected conventional medicine and public education, raised his family according to his own beliefs, creating an unstable and often dangerous environment. Her older brother Shawn also played a significant role in the abuse and emotional trauma she endured. Despite these overwhelming obstacles, Tara refused to let her circumstances define her. Determined to build a different future, she pursued a college education and, with the encouragement and support of a local bishop, found opportunities that had once seemed impossible. Through hard work and academic success, she earned financial support that allowed her to continue her studies at the University of Cambridge, where her worldview expanded and she began exploring ideas such as feminism and personal identity.
When Tara returned home for her grandmother's funeral, the fragile relationships within her family finally unraveled. Several family members turned against her, and her father urged her to seek forgiveness and return to the family. Instead, Tara chose to continue forging her own path. She returned to Cambridge, completed her studies, and ultimately earned a Ph.D. in History. She also began counseling, an important step in processing the trauma of her upbringing. By the end of the memoir, her only remaining family connections were with members of her maternal extended family.
When I think about Educated, one word immediately comes to mind: perseverance. Tara overcame extraordinary hardships that would have overwhelmed many people. It is remarkable that she found the strength, determination, and resilience to create a life so different from the one into which she was born. Her greatest achievement was not simply earning a doctorate but finding the courage to define her own identity and live life on her own terms.
I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy compelling memoirs, thought-provoking stories about family relationships and human behavior, and inspiring accounts of perseverance, resilience, and personal growth. It is an unforgettable memoir that demonstrates the transformative power of education and the strength it takes to reclaim one's own life.
