Tara Westover, author of the memoir Educated, was born into an isolated family of devout Mormons. Her parents kept her out of school and distrusted the medical establishment, instead using homemade remedies to treat ailments. She did not even have a birth certificate until she received a “delayed birth certificate” at nine years old. This isolation set the stage for a dramatic story of Westover’s never-ending perseverance amidst conflicts with family.
As a teenager, Westover was able to homeschool herself and get herself into Brigham Young University. Once there, she saw just how isolated her childhood had been. For example, during her first semester of college, a professor mentioned the Holocaust during a lecture. Westover raised her hand to ask what the Holocaust was. Her professor gave her a worried look and her new friends became angry. They thought she was joking, but in reality, nobody had ever told her about the Holocaust. It showed how much extra work she would have to do in order to integrate herself into mainstream society. After college, she went on to get a doctorate from Cambridge and make a successful career as a writer and researcher.
The book details Westover’s struggle with her own identity, as well as her stories of violence at home. Throughout her memoir, Westover was learning how to live a life outside of the home and trying to reclaim her relationships with extended family (many of whom are less radical than the parents). Since she writes from the first person, it is easy to relate to her and feel the same pain she feels throughout the book.
It is a riveting story, filled with uncertainty, close brushes with death and unexpected turning points. It is hard to believe some of the events in the book occurred, especially with some family members contradicting her personal account, but Westover tells her life story with such clarity and emotion that there is no mistaking if what she is saying is true or not. It is also, however, inspiring to those who need more motivation and to those who face adversity. It gives hope to others who are trying to work through adversity and gives a greater sense of resolve to those who cannot find a reason to work toward their goals. Educated is a great book for anyone looking for inspiration about life, or even just an interesting story to spice up their day.
