Educated: A Memoir [Review]

Tara Westover’s memoir, Educated: A Memoir, is a powerful and inspiring story of resilience in the face of incredible odds. This remarkable book details Westover’s journey from being raised in an isolated, extreme Mormon family in Idaho to earning a PhD from Cambridge University. Westover’s story is both heartbreaking and uplifting as she recounts her experiences of facing physical abuse, emotional neglect, and educational deprivation, all while struggling to maintain her connection to her family and faith. Despite the overwhelming obstacles that Westover encountered on her path towards higher education, she persevered and eventually achieved her goal, becoming a successful student and author in the process. With honest detail and vivid descriptions, Westover captures the raw emotion of her journey as she grapples with identity in the face of conflicting beliefs and values. As readers follow along with Westover’s story they will be inspired by her courage and determination to reach new heights despite daunting adversity. The lessons learned throughout this captivating memoir will stay with readers long after finishing its pages.

Table of Contents

Educated: A Memoir Review

Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover is a powerful and inspiring story of a young woman who, against all odds, found success and pushed boundaries.

Key Features:
1. A gripping look into the struggles of growing up in a survivalist family with no formal education
2. An empowering story of resilience and self-discovery
3. A remarkable journey from living in rural Idaho to earning a PhD from Cambridge University

Tara Westover’s Educated: A Memoir is an unforgettable coming-of-age memoir that captures the power of education and personal struggle. Growing up in a survivalist family with no formal education, Westover was determined to find her own path and make something of herself. Despite the challenges she faced, she eventually earned a PhD from Cambridge University, becoming one of the few to do so without graduating high school or college first. This remarkable journey is a testament to her resilience and determination to never give up on herself or her dreams. Along the way, Westover also discovers forgiveness, learning how to let go of her past and move forward towards a brighter future. With its captivating story and inspiring message, Educated: A Memoir will leave readers feeling uplifted and empowered to pursue their own goals with courage and conviction.

Product Details

Product Details	Information
Title	Educated: A Memoir
Author	Tara Westover
Publisher	Random House
ISBN-10 Number	0399590501
Category/Genre	Memoir, Biography, Autobiography
Format	Paperback, Hardcover, eBook (Kindle & Audiobook)
Page Count	352 pages
Publication Date	February 20, 2018

Educated: A Memoir Pros and Cons

Educated: A Memoir is the incredible true story of Tara Westover’s journey from a survivalist family in Idaho to Cambridge University. Written with raw honesty and sensitivity, Educated chronicles Westover’s upbringing and her struggle to break away from her sheltered world as she strives for self-discovery and knowledge.

Pros:
1. Educated is an inspiring story of resilience and self-empowerment that will resonate with readers everywhere.
2. The book provides a unique insight into a rarely seen part of America, exploring themes of faith, family, and education.
3. Westover’s writing is captivating and engrossing, full of vivid descriptions that bring her story to life.

Cons:
1. Some readers may find Westover’s experiences too dark and disturbing to fully appreciate the book.
2. While the prose is beautiful, it can be slow at times and may require patience.
3. This memoir may be too personal for some readers who are uncomfortable with such intimate details about another person’s life.

Overall, Educated: A Memoir is an unforgettable tale of courage and determination that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. With its captivating prose, fascinating insights into American culture, and inspiring message of hope, this memoir is sure to become an instant classic!

Who are They for

Tara Westover’s Educated: A Memoir is a gripping coming-of-age story that follows her journey from a sheltered, isolated upbringing in rural Idaho to an elite education and extraordinary success in the academic world. The memoir chronicles Westover’s experience of being raised in a family with extreme religious beliefs and no access to education beyond the fundamentalist gospel she was taught at home. She recounts her transformation from a naive teenage girl who had no idea what college was, to an accomplished PhD student who eventually earned her degree from Cambridge University.

Westover’s story is one of resilience, courage, and determination as she struggles against all odds to break free from her oppressive family and forge her own path. Her candid account of her hardships and triumphs speaks to readers everywhere who have ever felt trapped by their circumstances, or longed to find their own voice. With beautiful prose and vivid storytelling, Educated: A Memoir is an inspiring tale of self-discovery, resilience, and perseverance that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.

My Experience for Educated: A Memoir

I never would have thought that I, growing up in a remote mountain town in Idaho, with no formal education and an upbringing that barely touched on the outside world, could ever get educated. But then again, I wasn’t your average person. After being encouraged by my family to stay away from school and work instead at our family business, I realized that something was missing in my life.

So one day I decided to take a leap of faith and follow my dreams. I reached out to universities, wrote essays, took standardized tests, and eventually got accepted into Brigham Young University! It was a huge step for me, considering the fact that I had never even been inside a classroom before.

My journey through college was anything but easy. From learning how to use computers and write research papers, to taking classes in mathematics and history – it all felt like a foreign language to me. But with hard work and dedication, I managed to make it through each semester with flying colors!

Fast forward 4 years later, and I’m proud to say that I’ve graduated with honors from Brigham Young University! Thanks to this amazing memoir by Tara Westover called “Educated”, I am now the proudest owner of a bachelor’s degree in history.

It’s true what they say: you can do anything if you put your mind to it! So if you have a dream of getting educated but don’t know where to start – pick up Tara Westover’s “Educated” today. Trust me, it will be the best decision you’ve ever made!

What I don’t Like

1. Lack of detail in Westover’s personal life and upbringing
2. Long-winded narrative which can be difficult to follow
3. Incomplete character development, making it hard to relate to the protagonist
4. Omission of certain facts that could have made the story more powerful
5. Limited focus on certain issues, leaving out potentially important events or experiences

How to Prepare for a Mind-Opening Journey with Educated: A Memoir

Are you looking for an inspiring read that will help you break out of your comfort zone and launch yourself on an exciting journey of discovery? Educated: A Memoir, by Tara Westover, is the perfect book to get you started. Here are some tips on how to prepare for this life-changing adventure:

1. Make Time to Read

In order to truly appreciate the story and make it your own, you’ll need to commit to actually reading the book. Take time each day or week to sit down and focus on Westover’s story. Turn off your phone and other distractions so that you can give the book your full attention.

2. Reflect Regularly

As you read, take notes or jot down thoughts and impressions in a journal. Consider the challenges and triumphs that Westover shares and think about what they mean for you in your own life. Ask yourself questions such as, “What would I do if I were in her shoes?” or “How does this inspire me to push my boundaries?”.

3. Share Your Experiences with Others

Join a book club or discuss Educated: A Memoir with friends and family members. Sharing your reflections will help bring the ideas from Westover’s memoir alive in your life and create meaningful connections with others.

4. Live Out What You Have Learned

Finally, take action! Put into practice what you have learned from Westover’s story – whether it’s taking a chance on something new or simply expressing yourself more honestly – and make it part of who you are. By living out what you’ve taken away from her memoir, you can truly open up a world of possibilities for yourself.

Questions about Educated: A Memoir

What is Educated: A Memoir?

Educated: A Memoir is the inspiring, bestselling story of Tara Westover’s extraordinary journey from an isolated upbringing in rural Idaho to becoming a PhD student at Cambridge University. In this memoir, Tara recounts her experiences growing up as the youngest of seven children in a strict survivalist family, and how she forged her own path to higher education despite never attending school or obtaining a formal college degree.

Who should read Educated: A Memoir?

Anyone looking for an inspiring story of resilience, determination, and success against all odds will be captivated by Tara Westover’s incredible journey. Whether you are a recent high school graduate considering college, a parent of a homeschooled child, or someone who has ever felt discriminated against due to their background – this memoir is sure to move and motivate you.

What topics does Educated: A Memoir cover?

Educated: A Memoir covers a broad range of topics, including but not limited to: family dynamics, self-discovery, identity formation, education systems and politics, mental health and wellness, religious beliefs and practices, gender roles and discrimination. As Tara navigates her way through these difficult subjects with remarkable insight and grace, readers gain invaluable insight into our shared human experience.

Lloyd Kaufman

Hi, my name is Lloyd and I'm a book enthusiast. I love to read all kinds of books, from classic literature to modern fantasy, as well as non-fiction works. I also enjoy writing reviews and giving my opinion on the books that I have read.