Educated: A Memoir is an unforgettable book. This eventful autobiography details the upbringing of Tara Westover, the youngest of seven kids brought up by Mormon fundamentalists in rural Idaho. Westover’s unique world is both fascinating and horrifying. Her family doesn’t trust modern medicine, public education, or the government. Tara doesn’t know about major events in history, let alone her date of birth.
Westover is a strong writer and anecdotes from her life are clear and straightforward. The book is well-paced and Westover’s path to receiving a higher education is inspirational. Readers will appreciate Westover’s insights into her life but experiences with her family are often violent and difficult to read. Educated: A Memoir is extraordinary for its ability to create a multitude of emotions. This memorable nonfiction is perfect for those who enjoyed The Glass Castle.
Review of an Advance Reading Copy
This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Random House
Content Analysis:
Profanity/Language: 18 mild obscenities, 23 derogatory names, 5 scatological words and 1 anatomical term.
Violence/Gore: Several verbal threats; several secondhand reports of violence including stabbing of a dog, motorcycle accident, an Apache legend, domestic abuse and FBI raid; a brief scene involving a non-life-threatening injury; frequent incidents of violence involving domestic abuse and sibling abuse, car crashes, and fist fights; a scene including blood and gore in describing burn injuries.
Sex/Nudity: A few sexual references.
Mature Subject Matter:
Mental illness, domestic abuse, sibling abuse, religious fanaticism, male chauvinism, traumatic brain injury, cancer, racism, mistrust of government, mention of alcoholism, polygamy, childbirth.
Alcohol / Drug Use:
Mention of alcoholism.
