Genres: Memoir, Non-Fiction
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This memoir chronicles Tara Westover's extraordinary journey from a secluded childhood in the mountains of Idaho, where she was raised by survivalist parents who distrusted the government and formal education, to her pursuit of knowledge and education at prestigious institutions like Harvard and Cambridge.
Westover's upbringing was fraught with challenges, including physical and emotional abuse, as well as a lack of access to traditional schooling. However, her determination to learn and grow led her to defy the limitations imposed by her family's beliefs and environment. Through her resilience and tenacity, she not only gained an education but also discovered a new sense of self and purpose.
The memoir offers a compelling exploration of family dynamics, the power of education, and the quest for personal identity. Westover's prose is raw and honest, inviting readers into her world and allowing them to witness her struggles and triumphs. Her story serves as a testament to the transformative power of education and the human spirit's capacity for growth and change.
Overall, "Educated" is a gripping and inspiring read that will resonate with anyone who has faced adversity or pursued their dreams against all odds. It's a powerful reminder of the importance of resilience, self-discovery, and the pursuit of knowledge.
About Tara Westover
Tara Westover is an American author living in the UK. Born in Idaho to a father opposed to public education, she never attended school. She spent her days working in her father’s junkyard or stewing herbs for her mother, a self-taught herbalist and midwife. She was seventeen the first time she set foot in a classroom, and after that first taste, she pursued learning for a decade. She graduated magna cum laude from Brigham Young University in 2008 and was subsequently awarded a Gates Cambridge Scholarship. She earned an MPhil from Trinity College, Cambridge in 2009, and in 2010 was a visiting fellow at Harvard University. She returned to Cambridge, where she was awarded a PhD in history in 2014.