One Sentence Summary
Educated: A Memoir tells the incredible story of Tara Westover’s journey from living under a Mormon fundamentalist family in Idaho, to obtaining a PhD from Cambridge University.
Book Genre
Educated: A Memoir is a narrative non-fiction autobiography.
Main Topic of the Book
The main topic of Educated: A Memoir is the power of self-education to change one’s life.
Key Ideas
- The importance of autonomy in learning
- How individuals can overcome challenging family dynamics
- The necessity of support and guidance from mentors
- The power of resilience and hard work
- The importance of having faith on oneself
- The struggle to establish one’s own identity and how it can transcend accepted boundaries
Main Parts of The Book and a Short Summary
Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover is divided into three main sections. The first part of the book covers Westover’s upbringing in rural Idaho and her struggles to gain an education despite her father’s disapproval. She is eventually able to attend college and defies expectations to gain a full scholarship to Cambridge University where she goes on to earn a PhD.
In the second part of the book, Westover discovers a different world than the one she had left- a world full of possibilities. Through her studies she examines her family dynamics and explores her identity as a woman, with a newfound freedom and courage she starts to push back against her upbringing.
The third and final part of the book chronicles Westover’s attempts to reconcile her past with her present and find a way to balance the two. She reflects on the power of education and how it changed her life, and realizes that in order to fully heal, she must move forward.
Key Takeaways
- The incredible power of self-education and how it can transform one’s life
- How to face overwhelming challenges and keep moving forward
- The importance of having strong role models and taking advantage of potential opportunities
- The strength of resilience and the power of faith in ourselves
Author’s Background and Qualifications
Tara Westover is an American author and academic. She was born and raised in rural Idaho by Mormon fundamentalist parents who rejected traditional schooling, instead teaching their children at home. Westover attended Brigham Young University, where she obtained a degree in history and political science. She then earned a PhD in intellectual history from Cambridge University.
Target Audience
Educated: A Memoir is geared towards readers of all ages who are interested in narrative non-fiction, and memoirs and autobiographies in particular. It is a compelling story that appeals to anyone who wishes to explore the power of education and how it can enable us to become our best selves.
Publisher and First Publication Date
Educated: A Memoir was first published in 2018 by Random House in New York City.