Educated by Tara Westover (reviewed by Charles Glovsky)

Tara Westover writes an inspiring coming-of-age memoir. A remarkable young woman,Westover grew up in a survivalist Mormon family living off the grid in rural Idaho. Her dominating father scorned book-based education as well as traditional medicine and believed that the end of days was coming with the new millennium. Not only did she have to deal with her father, who probably suffered from undiagnosed bipolar disorder and constantly put her in harm’s way, but she also had to come to terms with a physically abusive brother. Her determination and intelligence make for fascinating reading as she struggles to break away from a family she loves but cannot live with.

Our members thought the book was an enjoyable, fascinating, and easy read but were troubled by the instances of abuse and wondered if her memories of events were wholly accurate. We were also left wondering how the author would move forward and what type of future lies in store for her, having written a best-selling first book but continuing to carry the deep scars of her childhood experiences. 

—Charles Glovsky