Genres: Biography, Autobiography

The first time Tara Westover stepped into a classroom, she was 17 years old. Educated documents her improbable and incredible journey from unschooled homebody to Cambridge graduate. Born into a family of anti-establishment Mormon survivalists, Tara spends the summers helping her mother concoct herbal remedies and the winters scrapping in her father’s junkyard. All is well, but as she grows up, she begins to wonder what lies beyond her small, Idahoan world. After self-studying mathematics and grammar, Tara is admitted to Brigham Young University. What follows is a remarkable journey, taking her across oceans and continents in the pursuit of knowledge; however, everything comes at a price. 

I enjoyed Educated immensely. Tara Westover did an excellent job pairing literary techniques with her past experiences to create an engaging plot. 

One aspect of the account that I appreciated was Westover’s use of imagery, especially when detailing past experiences of abuse or illustrating various injuries. It felt as if I was standing next to Tara when Shawn humiliated her in the parking lot. I could picture Gene’s burnt, distorted face so clearly that it sent shivers down my spine. This method of showing, rather than telling, was extremely captivating and is one of the hallmarks of a marvellous read.

As Educated is a memoir, periods of critical introspection are integral components to the overall structure of the book. Westover’s word choice during passages of deep reflection allowed for concise, candid and effective analysis of past events. 

Through the use of writer’s craft, Westover created a masterpiece that I found compelling and thought-provoking. 

No previous knowledge of the included content is required before reading it, although it would be helpful if one was somewhat familiar with Christianity as there are a fair number of biblical references throughout the novel. It is also worth noting that this is more of a mature read⸺there are a few scenes describing physical abuse that some may find triggering. That being said, I would highly recommend this novel to teens looking for a more serious read  paired with thrilling adventures.