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cfiggy94's review against another edition
5.0
An insightful glimpse into the differing lives of Americans on the cusps of society not talked about or frankly thought about. It is interesting to see the ways in which we assume the world to be and then be confronted by its truth. This book illustrates an experience of society that is often overlooked and yet the struggle is universal - defining self above family and removed from it. What is your definition of yourself and how is that different than others (even close ones) perception? Is it important to have overlap between these different versions of yourself or can they be different? Does it make you lesser? These are all questions confronted and analyzed in this examination of self.
jahara's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Physical abuse
pburrs's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
laurynking's review against another edition
5.0
The content of this book alone was so powerful, but the author’s voice made it even more striking. Following Tara’s experiences was simultaneously heartbreaking and inspiring, as it seemed like the patterns of abuse would never end even while knowing her vocalization of them through writing the book meant things had changed drastically (at least on Tara’s end).
mgclayton's review against another edition
4.0
I don't think anyone but the individual who splayed out their memories on the page has a right to judge that experience. However, I feel the need to write this review to qualify my quantified rating on the Goodreads star system.
It seems the majority of readers who did not give this memoir 5 stars did it out of their inability to believe the events that took place. I believe these things all happened; I believe it was honest and heart-wrenching that there wasn't a "clean break from my abusive family," that instead there was a constant back-and-forth power struggle and validation-seeking from victims and perpetrators.
My 4 star review is more rooted in a feeling of false finality/rushed ending. Still a masterful work. Still recommending it to others. But think it would be better touted as a story of loss (physical and emotional) and perspective (gained through insight of time passing, commitment to self, and professional help) rather than the current rags to riches arc of going from growing up poor, off-the-grid in Idaho to a doctorate at the behest of the hallowed halls of dear old Cambridge & Harvard.
It seems the majority of readers who did not give this memoir 5 stars did it out of their inability to believe the events that took place. I believe these things all happened; I believe it was honest and heart-wrenching that there wasn't a "clean break from my abusive family," that instead there was a constant back-and-forth power struggle and validation-seeking from victims and perpetrators.
My 4 star review is more rooted in a feeling of false finality/rushed ending. Still a masterful work. Still recommending it to others. But think it would be better touted as a story of loss (physical and emotional) and perspective (gained through insight of time passing, commitment to self, and professional help) rather than the current rags to riches arc of going from growing up poor, off-the-grid in Idaho to a doctorate at the behest of the hallowed halls of dear old Cambridge & Harvard.
acrossthesemiles's review against another edition
5.0
I wasn't sure how I wanted to rate this after I first finished reading it. I didn't think I'd end up rating it so high, but now that it's been several days since I finished the book, and whenever I see people taking it from the library or looking at it on the shelf, I want to encourage them to pick it up and read it. I honestly keep talking about this book in my friend groups, and even when I recognize that there's no reason to, I just want to share it with everyone.
There were parts that I hated reading. There were parts that just made me so angry, and some things I hate to admit, I thought some things might have been exaggerated. When I read up on her and saw in particular how her parents reacted - the parts they were upset about - it made finishing the book much more interesting, trying to understand how her family processed things. I don't know how to explain it, but it was a wild ride.
As for her writing style, it was one of those memoirs that doesn't necessarily feel like a memoir, which is always refreshing. It was interesting to see how she used her voice to go back and forth between her different mindsets throughout the years. In the beginning, I felt like I was listening to a kid talk about her life, and I felt like I could understand her through each stage of life, despite the reality of what she was writing about. This is the kind of book that reminds me of why I love memoirs. I definitely recommend reading it.
There were parts that I hated reading. There were parts that just made me so angry, and some things I hate to admit, I thought some things might have been exaggerated. When I read up on her and saw in particular how her parents reacted - the parts they were upset about - it made finishing the book much more interesting, trying to understand how her family processed things. I don't know how to explain it, but it was a wild ride.
As for her writing style, it was one of those memoirs that doesn't necessarily feel like a memoir, which is always refreshing. It was interesting to see how she used her voice to go back and forth between her different mindsets throughout the years. In the beginning, I felt like I was listening to a kid talk about her life, and I felt like I could understand her through each stage of life, despite the reality of what she was writing about. This is the kind of book that reminds me of why I love memoirs. I definitely recommend reading it.
j_rowley's review against another edition
5.0
Born the youngest of 7 to a Mormon survivalist, Westover is homeschooled, but spends most of her day working in her father's junkyard and helping her mom make homeopathic remedies. Dad is a larger-than-life figure who tries to stay off the grid because he's paranoid about the government. Seems like he might be manic depressive or bi-polar. Westover is mentally and physically abused by an older brother. She does wind up escaping to BYU after buying some books to study and take the ACT. Years later when she tries to get Dad to step in and help out with older brother, family remakes the narrative and vilifies her.
Horrifying account of childhood no one should have to live through.
Horrifying account of childhood no one should have to live through.