Comments on: Educated: A Memoir

By: Catherine

Catherine — Sun, 22 Apr 2018 22:53:51 +0000

In reply to Susie | Novel Visits. The survivalism aspects yes, but the the rest is pure patriarchal religion. So, they would have gone to doctors, but Tara's experiences with Shawn and wanting to go to college could have been the same.

By: susan

susan — Thu, 19 Apr 2018 22:53:36 +0000

It sounds like Glass Castle raised to the 100th degree. I was enraged at times by those parents but I’m sure I would be even more at these two, nuts, especially the father who sounds awful. I heard the author on the NYT’s podcast. I can only applaud all she’s done …. to escape & get educated, wow.

By: Susie | Novel Visits

Susie | Novel Visits — Thu, 19 Apr 2018 01:31:22 +0000

Wow! I can barely imagine you living in Utah. That must have been really difficult. I loved Educated, too, even as I was horrified during much of its reading. What did you think of Tara’s idea that her father was bipolar? Would that excuse any of his behaviors? She seemed to feel like it might. Interesting to think about….

By: Catherine

Catherine — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 17:03:15 +0000

In reply to Cahleen @ The Alt Story. I felt as if it was a toxic combination of religion and his survivalism because, yes, the mainstream is not like that. Having said that, I had plenty of men in SLC feel free to tell me what I should and should not be wearing, drinking, and how I should live my life- and I was in my 30s. The patriarchy is paramount.

By: Catherine

Catherine — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 17:00:23 +0000

In reply to Sarah's Book Shelves. Hi! It's so nice to see you here again!I loved Under the Banner of Heaven even though I was living in UT at the time (made me more insane).

By: Sarah's Book Shelves

Sarah's Book Shelves — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 11:12:39 +0000

Wasn’t all that horrifying?! The worst part for me was the repeated decisions that put his kids in physical danger for sure. Have you ever read Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer? This reminded me of that a little bit. Anyway – I loved it too 🙂

By: Cahleen @ The Alt Story

Cahleen @ The Alt Story — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 09:30:53 +0000

I also loved Educated! I can imagine, having personal experience with Mormonism, how emotional a read it must have been for you. To me, it seemed like her parents were extremely conservative outliers and that most of the mainstream Mormons she encountered were kind and tried to help. I definitely hope to see more from Tara Westover in the future!