This book was like nothing I’ve ever read before. It was difficult at times to read but impossible to put down. It’s such a shocking and enthralling story that it was truly hard to wrap my mind around it at times.

SYNOPSIS

This memoir is about a young girl named Tara Westover who grows up in a strict religious survivalist family in the mountains of Idaho. Her family prepared for the end of the world by stockpiling home-canned peaches and packing their bags ready to run. Since her father forbade hospitals, Tara never saw a nurse or doctor.

The family isolated themselves from mainstream society. Tara lacked any kind of formal education. Her father had very non-mainstream ideas about the government and on education, which he openly condemned. Tara began to educate herself and taught herself enough to get into a nearby University. She started on a life changing quest for knowledge and pursued her education to the fullest of her ability.

EDUCATED REVIEW

Tara Westover is an inspiring woman with an incredibly powerful story to share. This book was at times difficult and frustrating to read. Still, I stayed up nearly an entire night glued to it. I just could not put it down. There were moments where I wanted to jump through the pages just so I could speak my thoughts.

The emotional and physical abuse, along with the manipulation Tara went through was frightening and eye-opening. It’s incredible that Tara was so determined to gain an education. This is something so many of us (including myself) take for granted. It was inspiring to follow Tara along on her journey to learning about how to put her and her truth first.

Her story offered me a new perspective on my own life. We don’t always realize how blessed we are to have a supportive family. Or to be able to go to University and receive an education. It’s incredibly humbling to read about how the experiences of others can differ so immensely. Through Tara’s story, I found a new appreciation of my own privileges and blessings. I truly loved this memoir and would absolutely recommend it to anyone who’s looking for a new read.

Have you read Educated by Tara Westover? I’d really like to hear your thoughts and opinions on this book.