Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover

I became to read this book after hearing a good review by one celebrity. It is not so much a usual memoir written by a famous people as one written by survivalist from childhood trauma, but also like an autobiographical novel by a talented writer. As far as I know, many famous writers wrote novels based on their own childhood experiences, and usually, people cannot escape from their own childhood memories. Disclosing shameful personal experiences to the public is not an easy thing to do. If the memories were related to parents’ faults or problems whose severity was beyond the level that the public can accept with, writing a memoir must require courage and maturity. During reading this book, I was impressed with the author’s talent for the literary skill of describing each episode and inner psychology. Especially, in the latter part, author’s inner struggle and confusion were really well conveyed to me when she was forced by her parents to decide whether or not to choose parents’ religious belief, and when her attempt to reveal her brother’s repeated physical and emotional abuse was criticized by her family members. If pursuing what she wants in her life inevitably means betraying her loving family, as her parents cannot permit different beliefs and ways of life, that must be too much pressure on a young person. 

Over the several episodes, her parents showed their love in their own way, even her abusive elderly brother. I am not saying that their way of love should be accepted and respected, but I think that they did not know how much their daughter or sister had been badly affected by their ignorance or violence. As the title of this book implies, sound education is important and necessary for everyone to be less violent towards others and more reflective towards oneself.

Finally, I’d like to show my respect for all young people who had experienced a hard childhood and eventually attained independence and freedom.

 

written by Shim G.