#1 NEW YORK TIMES, WALL STREET JOURNAL, AND BOSTON GLOBE BESTSELLER • One of the most acclaimed books of our time: an unforgettable memoir about a young woman who, kept out of school, leaves her survivalist family and goes on to earn a PhD from Cambridge University
“Extraordinary . . . an act of courage and self-invention.”—The New York Times
NAMED ONE OF THE TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW • ONE OF PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA’S FAVORITE BOOKS OF THE YEAR • BILL GATES’S HOLIDAY READING LIST • FINALIST: National Book Critics Circle’s Award In Autobiography and John Leonard Prize For Best First Book • PEN/Jean Stein Book Award • Los Angeles Times Book Prize
Born to survivalists in the mountains of Idaho, Tara Westover was seventeen the first time she set foot in a classroom. Her family was so isolated from mainstream society that there was no one to ensure the children received an education, and no one to intervene when one of Tara’s older brothers became violent. When another brother got himself into college, Tara decided to try a new kind of life. Her quest for knowledge transformed her, taking her over oceans and across continents, to Harvard and to Cambridge University. Only then would she wonder if she’d traveled too far, if there was still a way home.
“Beautiful and propulsive . . . Despite the singularity of [Westover’s] childhood, the questions her book poses are universal: How much of ourselves should we give to those we love? And how much must we betray them to grow up?”—Vogue
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The Washington Post • O: The Oprah Magazine • Time • NPR • Good Morning America • San Francisco Chronicle • The Guardian • The Economist• Financial Times •Newsday • New York Post • theSkimm • Refinery29 • Bloomberg • Self • Real Simple • Town & Country • Bustle • Paste • Publishers Weekly •Library Journal • LibraryReads • Book Riot • Pamela Paul, KQED • New York Public Library
This book was a quick read, full of personal accounts of the author’s life. She writes extremely well, stating both happy and sad moments that shaped who she has become. She has lived a lifetime in her few years on this planet; I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to learn about her. Excellent book!!55
What begins as a memoir transcends into a spiritual and philosophical account, influencing the reader to question their own ideas and beliefs.55
SO good!!!! I could not put it down!55
This is an awesome, eye-opening, educational book about one woman’s lifecycle from obedient daughter to a self-sufficient strong woman. I loved reading about her highs and lows and what she learned in school and about herself and her family along the way. Highly recommend.55
An incredible read of a girls journey to become educated after being sheltered and raised only with her families point of view.55
No one there was such fervor around this book it is wonderful!55
Overall: Good. Long. Unique.45
This is a story of parenting: bad parenting. Tara Westover states it is not a story of Mormonism; it is. A balance of faith, ignorance, prejudice and fundamentalism on one side with science and knowledge on the other. When faith denies science you need to chose one. Of course, you can keep both concepts at the same time by sidestepping the facts. (I.e. Virgin birth. God can will Mary pregnant. Biology be damned.). Raised by wolves seems almost Montessori. I thank the author!45
Enlightening!55
Years ago I worked with children who lived in a similar family dynamic. I felt then , and do now that they were bullied by a father who ruled with intimidation, anger and self righteousness. He pulled his kids out of public school to homeschool them when whispers of abuse began to surface. After reading this book, I wonder anew, if they or some of them-survived or if they became willing participants in a a false history that asserted the evil of public schools, doctors ,counselors, and the government. This book gave me hope that those bright intelligent kids found a way out to become what THEY wanted to become. I started this book in the morning and read into the early morning to finish it. A 5 star read.55
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