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.

Definitely in the queue..fascinating life so far…
Sure is.
this sounds fascinating
It is….
And what is also interesting is her siblings and neighbors left comments in the Amazon reviews refuting certain claims. Fascinating.
Yes
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.
Yes. And so beautifully written.
And be sure to read the reader reviews on Amazon. Fascinating.
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
This was a fascinating interview in Fresh Air. Have to pick up the book. Looking forward to reading the reviews David links above.
On
It is fascinating…
Wow. Thanks for sharing Elizabeth. I hadn’t heard this…
For the question – ask those who are frightened to look at it ;D
Sounds fascinating, and can’t believe I missed the NPR interview, but will rectify that omission momentarily. Into the queue it goes…thanks pal!
Really is Lori…bit brutal but captivating throughout.
Interesting that The Guardian found the author’s voice still somewhat unformed. Not your take, I’m guessing.
Not my take. Not close.
Thanks for the recommendation Dave ❣️
My pleasure Val.
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
Hope you enjoy it!
I’ll let ya know!