Minnie's Fiction Addiction

👀 First impressions:
Educated is one of those books I kept seeing everywhere, on BookTok, on Bookstagram, in “must-read memoir” lists. It felt like everyone was saying the same thing: this is worth your time. It tells the story of her childhood in a strict, survivalist family in rural Idaho, where formal education was forbidden, and her journey of self-discovery that eventually led her to earn a PhD from Cambridge University.

I picked this one up because it’s one of those modern memoirs that everyone seems to talk about, and with good reason. From the first chapter, it’s clear this isn’t just a story about education, it’s about identity, family, faith, and the courage it takes to break away from the only world you’ve ever known.

✅ What I Liked:
Westover’s writing is both stark and lyrical. She doesn’t sensationalize her experiences, but she conveys them with raw honesty and striking clarity. The memoir grapples with big themes, abuse, isolation, resilience, but always through the lens of Tara’s deeply personal perspective.

What stood out most to me was the tension between loyalty to family and the pursuit of freedom. Watching Tara navigate the painful process of reconciling those two forces was heartbreaking and inspiring in equal measure. I also admired her ability to reflect on her story with compassion, even for those who hurt her most.

❎ What I didn’t Like:
Honestly, very little. There are moments where the narrative feels repetitive, especially in the cycle of family conflict and reconciliation, but that repetition also mirrors the lived reality of trauma. Some readers might wish for more resolution with certain family members, but the lack of tidy closure makes the story feel all the more real.

📚 Why You Should Read This Book:
If you enjoy memoirs that challenge, inspire, and stay with you long after the final page, Educated is essential reading. It’s a story about more than one woman’s education—it’s about the transformative power of knowledge, the resilience of the human spirit, and the painful, complicated ties of family.

💭 Final Thoughts:
Educated is one of those rare memoirs that feels both deeply personal and universally relevant. It’s about the cost of freedom, the power of learning, and the courage it takes to rewrite your own story. Unflinching and beautifully written, it’s a book I’ll be thinking about for a long time.

🛍️ Where to buy
To buy your own copy click HERE

Final Rating ★★★★★ –