A review by ghostduchess
Educated by Tara Westover
4.0
I don't know exactly how I feel about this one yet. I listened to the audiobook. At first it was a little confusing when she would stop one line of storytelling and jump to another. Then, I realized that if I were telling my life's story, I might not tell things quite linearly. I don't understand why we have nearly no information about "Tony" except his choice of career. Also, aliases or pseudonyms become moot when you publish in your own name and you are discussing family, so it struck me as odd she did this. I think 100 years ago, the information could have remained much more hidden, but today, it's easy to search someone on the internet and find their entire family tree.
As for the story itself. I understand that we are the product of our personalities and upbringing. We have trouble letting go of family ties even when they are toxic. However, for much of the book she seemed almost empathetic to Sean and Gene. It struck me as more Stockholm syndrome than simply a daughter who could not unlove a toxic father and brother. By the end, it seemed she had some realization of this, so maybe the sound of empathy was intentional as in how she felt in the moment. However, in a memoir looking back, it would seem the empathy would be gone. It was a heart-wrenching story and I am glad she became her own woman.
As for the story itself. I understand that we are the product of our personalities and upbringing. We have trouble letting go of family ties even when they are toxic. However, for much of the book she seemed almost empathetic to Sean and Gene. It struck me as more Stockholm syndrome than simply a daughter who could not unlove a toxic father and brother. By the end, it seemed she had some realization of this, so maybe the sound of empathy was intentional as in how she felt in the moment. However, in a memoir looking back, it would seem the empathy would be gone. It was a heart-wrenching story and I am glad she became her own woman.