Karen Nordrum, from the Tamworth Branch of the County of Lennox & Addington Libraries, reviews Educated, a new memoir written by Tara Westover:

In this remarkable memoir, Tara Westover tells of her journey through education, which only begins at the age of 17. Until this point, her father (a Mormon Fundamentalist) had kept her, along with his wife and their seven children “off the grid,” living in rural Idaho, away from doctors, dentists, and teachers. He stockpiled ammunition and hoarded food, waiting for the end of days. Each night she went to bed with a “head-for-the-hills” bag packed and ready.

Her curiosity and questions grew as she did. At 17, Westover taught herself enough math and grammar to break away from her isolated life, and to gain admission to Brigham Young University. She went on to study at Cambridge and Harvard, earning a Ph.D.

Similar to The Glass Castle (Jeannette Walls) and Wild (Cheryl Strayed), Westover’s story is an extraordinary account of the struggle for self-invention. It is a tale of fierce family loyalty, and of the grief that comes from severing one’s closest ties. With acute insight, Educated gets to the heart of what an education is and what it offers: the perspective to see one’s life through new eyes, and the will to change it.

You can reserve this book in a variety of formats by clicking here.