Literature Reviews - 2025
Review of Educated by Tara Westover
Introduction
Tara Westover’s Educated is a gripping and thought-provoking memoir that chronicles her journey from a survivalist family in rural Idaho to earning a PhD from Cambridge University. Published in 2018, the book explores themes of family loyalty, personal growth, and the transformative power of education. It has been widely acclaimed for its raw storytelling, emotional depth, and insightful exploration of the conflicts between tradition and self-discovery.
Plot Summary
Westover was born into a strict Mormon fundamentalist family that rejected formal education, modern medicine, and government intervention. Her father, convinced that the government sought to control and destroy their way of life, kept his children out of school and had them work in the family scrapyard under dangerous conditions. Without birth certificates or medical care, they lived in near-total isolation from mainstream society.
Despite her lack of formal schooling, Westover self-taught and eventually gained admission to Brigham Young University, where she encountered a world radically different from her upbringing. Her pursuit of knowledge led her to Cambridge and Harvard, but it also created a painful rift with her family. As she struggled to reconcile her newfound identity with her past, she faced physical and emotional abuse, particularly from her older brother, and the deep psychological scars of growing up in an oppressive environment.
Themes & Analysis
- The Power of Education
Westover’s story is a testament to how education can be a vehicle for personal liberation. Her journey underscores the idea that knowledge has the power to reshape one’s worldview and open doors to opportunities previously deemed impossible. - Family and Betrayal
One of the most emotionally charged aspects of Educated is the tension between Westover’s love for her family and her need for self-preservation. Her decision to pursue education is seen as a betrayal, highlighting the difficult choices individuals must make when personal growth conflicts with familial expectations. - Memory and Truth
Throughout the memoir, Westover acknowledges discrepancies in how she and her family remember events. She includes footnotes detailing differing accounts, demonstrating the fragile and subjective nature of memory. - Resilience and Self-Discovery
Westover’s perseverance in overcoming extreme obstacles—poverty, abuse, and a lack of formal education—demonstrates remarkable resilience. Her story resonates with anyone who has struggled to break free from a restrictive past.
Writing Style
Westover’s writing is eloquent, reflective, and deeply engaging. Her prose balances raw emotion with analytical detachment, making the memoir both personal and universal. The book is structured in a way that builds tension, with each chapter revealing more about the dangers and constraints of her childhood.
Critical Reception
The reviews included in your document and others from major literary sources overwhelmingly praise Educated for its compelling narrative and emotional impact. However, some critics question the accuracy of certain events and the extent of Westover’s family’s extremism. Her family has disputed parts of her account, which has led to debates about the reliability of memoir as a genre.
Despite these concerns, Educated has been celebrated as one of the most powerful memoirs in recent years, often compared to The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls and Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance.
Final Verdict
Educated is an unforgettable memoir that sheds light on the power of knowledge, the complexity of family dynamics, and the courage it takes to forge one’s own path. It is a deeply inspiring read that will resonate with anyone who has ever questioned their upbringing or sought personal transformation.