Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover

5/5 Stars

Tara Westover's book Educated: A Memoir is both highly educational (fitting title on more than one level) and absolutely shocking. The book is a memoir of Tara’s life as the daughter of staunch survivalists and how her eyes were opened as she overcame incredible obstacles and adversity. Growing up on a mountain in Idaho, she ultimately left an outright abusive environment and paved her own way, but it was not an easy path and it was not without fear, grief, and a lot of courage.

Tara was born into a family that forbade her from receiving a formal education. Instead of attending school daily, Tara was forced to prepare for the last days. Driven by extremist views, overwhelming paranoia and an intense distrust of anyone in authority, Tara’s father forced his children to do hard work in preparation for the end times. Her father’s paranoia was apparent in his feelings about doctors and others within the field of medicine as well. Modern medicine was not allowed in the Westover home. Instead, Tara’s mother was an herbalist who treated all injuries and illnesses (everything from minor and near fatal) with herbs and essential oils. Tara’s father’s control over his family was absolutely abusive to the core, but the apex of the abuse lies with Tara’s older brothers. She faced unimaginable abuse from those who were supposed to love her and support her, but she was alone much of the time. The abuse was eye opening and she began to educate herself at home and was able to gain admission to Brigham Young University. She ultimately worked her way to a PhD in history from Cambridge.

I would be remiss if I did not mention that there were some shining lights along the way - Drew Mecham, Tara’s friend turned boyfriend from BYU, and her brother, Tyler, who stood by her side growing up and still does to this day. Their support obviously strengthened Tara as she navigated the difficulties and grief of severing her former life and finding her potential.

Educated: A Memoir is a brutal depiction of an abusive family situation and honestly, it was sometimes very hard to read. There were moments when I had to put it down and take a minute to gather my composure. Yes, I cried. Yes, I got angry. Yes, I cheered so hard for Tara. This book is an important read and very eye-opening. I am blessed to have grown up in a supportive family, but unfortunately not everyone is handed such an opportunity. Abuse is very real and comes in many forms, several of which were in this book. I am shocked by the world Tara was raised in, but I am also incredibly inspired by her strength to overcome. I hope to hear more from her in the future. Her writing style was wonderful, but even moreso, her life story is passionate and motivating. Thank you, Tara, for sharing your story with the world.