a tinderbox life story

a breathless and humbling story of survival and phoenix like success. A clarion call for education and understanding of mental health.

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3 people found this helpful

What an incredible and empowering story

This book was recommended to me by a client and I will thank her for it. I found some interesting parallels with my own religious upbringing but also am in awe of the desire some of these children had to educate themselves.

I loved this book and am inspired by this incredible story and also sad for what the author has lost to religion, conspiracy thinking and bi-polar disorder. I hope she is now surrounded with love and support.

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The genuinely incredible story how someone with no formal education got a PHD from Cambridge

I picked this as a read because Tara Westover will be talking at the Cambridge Literary Festival and there was an article in one of the papers. Her story is one of natural talent, drive and amazing luck. She never had a formal education being brought up in an extreme survivalist household who believed that the end of days were coming any time. It’s a real rollercoaster of a read, a real page turner, the accidents, situations, danger, and general craziness of Tara’s life are shocking as much as they are uplifting. It’s a real exploration into fanatical belief, mental illness, family and what “an education” really is.

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Beautifully narrated

Quite an intense book, not always relaxing! But utterly beautiful and such a moving account of her life. So beautifully narrated.

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Overall a good read

The start of this book is really interesting but as it goes on there is quite a long period in the middle of the story that is quite drawn out and I almost gave up but I’m glad I stuck with it because the last third is very good and overall a great read. The narration is excellent.

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She may change her view when she gets older.

Based on my own experience, my view on my family has never stopped changing. I expect her understanding deepen when she grows older.

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One of the best reads ever!

Tara is someone I'll never forget after reading this book. She has opened my eyes to researching more on the mormons and the way of life - the hardships of life she has experienced and the way we take things for granted. I am so proud of her!! From all the horrible things she's been put through, I'm so happy for the life she leads today! Brilliant book!

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Amazing story, best book I read this year

Highly, highly recommend!! It should be a must read. Often we forget how lucky we are to have been provided proper education. This book gives us an insight into another reality, often hard to grasp that the story is a memoir and based on real-life events. Very inspiring, Tara Westover showed us what we can achieve when we really want something and how much can change in a lifetime.

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Incredible book!

Tara's story is unique but what's most impressive is how she grew up and grew out of the life that was imposed on her and became her own person making her own choices. It's a moving story about becoming a person and correcting the mistakes of two very well intentioned parents that were misled in their ways by ignorance, fundamentalism and mental illness. A wonderful written memoir from a person with so much empathy that it's hard not too feel guilty about every time you think your life sucks. Not even Hollywood can conjur up some of the events Tara's gone through. No one should grow up and live this way in the 21st century, in a first world country, anyway, so it's humbling to learn her story. it's a mind blowing story that makes you reflect on your own life and that makes it a great book because it may just help you grow as a human so in a way Educated may just help with your education as a human.

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A true Hero’s journey

A real lesson in the power of belief systems. It’s incredible that Tara not only survived, but flourished into the person she is. I enjoyed listening to her journey, Tara has a lovely turn of phrase. I was pleased that she accomplished so much in the face of such adversity and disadvantage.

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