Educated by Tara Westover | Book Review

Welcome to my book review for Educated by Tara Westover.

“My life was narrated for me by others. Their voices were forceful, emphatic, absolute. It had never occurred to me that my voice might be as strong as theirs.” -Tara Westover, Educated

Educated Synopsis:

Born into a Mormon survivalist family, Westover never entered a classroom (or doctor’s office) until she was 17. Knowing nothing about world history or other essentials, her admittance to Bringham Young University is more than a new chapter in her life: it’s an opening into a world far bigger than she could ever have imagined. Westover throws herself into education, learning with the vivacity of one who has been starved her whole life. As she questions her own worldview, Westover opens new doors, all the while grappling with the knowledge that she can never go back.

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Educated Review:

When I first heard of this memoir, I knew it would be right up my alley. Books about Mormonism and/or cult-like religions always catch my interest, as do those which present an ode to the powers of knowledge and education. Educated is two for two on these topics, so I finally logged into my Libby app and checked out the audiobook from my local library.

Educated has quite an impact. The greatest takeaway I got from this read was just how massive the impact of knowledge is. We’ve all heard the saying “knowledge is power,” and Westover is living proof of how true it is. Seeing how her worldview and sense of self evolved seamlessly alongside her education is nothing short of exceptional. Educated is one of those books that makes you feel, in your soul, the power of knowing.

When I finished the book, one thought stood out prominently in my mind: I want to read everything. I feel so inspired by Westover’s acquisition and use of knowledge and her understanding of the world, and I have a new appreciation for how much a good book can impact your life. Since completing Educated, I have already begun searching for a broader range of books to add to my reading list. It is now a top priority to learn more about the topics that I’m not very well-versed in.

And that’s huge! In my opinion, few things are better than a book that drives you to take action toward a better world. The mere fact that this memoir instilled me with such inspiration is one of the highest praises I can give any book. I sincerely hope that anyone else who reads it is struck with the same pull to read more, learn more, and do more for the world.

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NOTE: Several events described in this book are straight-up gory. While the detailed descriptions of gore serve to flesh out the severity of Westover’s struggles, I want to mention this as a warning to future readers. If you’re squeamish about gore, this may not be the book for you.

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Another topic within Educated that drew me in was its discussion of medicine. Growing up, Westover’s family opposed modern medicine and licensed doctors. Instead, they depended solely on herbalism and other unconventional forms of medicine. Personally, I have an interest in herbalism and the medicinal powers of plants, so it was interesting to see a case where these practices are misused. I don’t want to spoil too much, so I won’t go into any details, but it gets pretty wild. I found this angle to be highly insightful, and it made me want to learn even more about herbalism and its abilities, limitations, and history.

Educated is also a beautiful exploration of family. The dynamics, the influences, the power struggles, the responsibilities (or lack thereof)… it’s all so deeply nuanced, and Westover captures every last bit of it. This book brings you along the journey, experiencing every push and pull right alongside the author. It’s rare to see such an honest discussion of how our family shapes so much of our lives, and I am so grateful that Westover was willing to share such a raw part of herself with the world in the form of this book.

“I am not the child my father raised, but he is the father who raised her.” -Tara Westover, Educated

A Similar Memoir

Educated reminded me quite a bit of a different memoir, Uncultured by Daniella Mestyanek Young, which I enjoyed immensely. Perhaps it is unfair to compare the two, as Westover and Mastyanek Young are two completely different women with their own individual lives, but I’m comparing them anyway.

Each memoir has its own strengths, and I want to take a moment to highlight them. Educated tells many stories that depict a lifestyle wrought with a patriarch’s delusions. The parts of her life that Westover tells in detail each add another brushstroke that creates a greater picture, some seemingly inconsequential on their own but adding up to a greater image.

Uncultured did a better job of providing commentary on the impact that cults and cult-like groups can have on an individual. I found it to be a more emotional account of the horrors that Mestyanek Young faced in her young life. Also, I gleaned great value from the connections Uncultured draws between cults and the US military.

I bring this up to point out that Educated doesn’t comment much on the world outside of Westover’s life. Again, this is a fine approach and has its appeal, but I prefer memoirs that are more like Uncultured.

Educated Recommendation & Rating:

Overall, this memoir was truly incredible. Although not as emotionally driven as I prefer, its ability to inspire curiosity is moving in its own right. I would highly recommend Educated to anyone interested in extreme religions, complicated family dynamics, or knowledge itself. This is easily a new go-to memoir that I will be recommending often in the future.

“An education is not so much about making a living as making a person.” -Tara Westover, Educated

My Rating: ★★★★☆ 4 stars

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Thank you for reading my Educated review. To read more of my book reviews, check out my Book Reviews page.