I’m 1/3 of the way through Tara Westover’s book “Educated: A Memoir” and it’s a Wow.
For book reviews, check out:
- Amazon Best Book of February, 2018.
- Vanity Fair, Interview with Tara Westover
- Educated by Tara Westover, The Guardian
“For eighteen years I never thought of that day, not in any probing way. The few times my reminiscing carried me back to that torrid afternoon, what I remembered first…Now, at age twenty-nine, I sit down to write, to reconstruct the incident from the echoes and shouts of a tired memory. I scratch it out. When I get to the end, I pause. There’s an inconsistency, a ghost in this story. I read it. I read it again. And there it is. Who put out the fire?”
~ Tara Westover, “Educated: A Memoir”
Highly recommended.
Live & Learn 
Definitely in the queue..fascinating life so far…
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Sure is.
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this sounds fascinating
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It is….
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And what is also interesting is her siblings and neighbors left comments in the Amazon reviews refuting certain claims. Fascinating.
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Yes
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And….. yet another reading recommendation!
I find this so scary – as I find testimonials of ‘escapees’ of other religions scary. As an active Christian myself, my strong faith has (hopefully) made me kinder, more understanding, less judgamental, but I sometimes see videos of former (insert name) members and everything in me says: This is so not right….
In the Guardian review one para stood out for me: Her background says something important about the US: that even in a place of great opportunity, you can grow up without any idea of how to touch its white-hot centre. This memoir tracks all the ways that traditional American life puts up roadblocks and actively dissuades you from outgrowing your “roots”. . Makes me sad again….
Sure looks like a book well worth reading! Shall see if I come across it when visiting UK next time.
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Yes. And so beautifully written.
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And be sure to read the reader reviews on Amazon. Fascinating.
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Last week I listened to her story in the car on Fresh Air. If you have not already heard it you will find it interesting. She is so curiously rational. https://www.npr.org/2018/02/24/587981677/fresh-air-weekend-from-survivalist-childhood-to-cambridge-actor-richard-jenkins
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This was a fascinating interview in Fresh Air. Have to pick up the book. Looking forward to reading the reviews David links above.
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On
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It is fascinating…
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Wow. Thanks for sharing Elizabeth. I hadn’t heard this…
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For the question – ask those who are frightened to look at it ;D
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Sounds fascinating, and can’t believe I missed the NPR interview, but will rectify that omission momentarily. Into the queue it goes…thanks pal!
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Really is Lori…bit brutal but captivating throughout.
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Interesting that The Guardian found the author’s voice still somewhat unformed. Not your take, I’m guessing.
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Not my take. Not close.
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Thanks for the recommendation Dave ❣️
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My pleasure Val.
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I got so lost in listening to the Fresh Air link (thank you Elizabeth) I forgot to respond. Thank you, again, Mr. Kanigan, for increasing my “to-read” list
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Hope you enjoy it!
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I’ll let ya know!
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