Book notes: dark memoir is stranger than fiction
In Educated, Tara Westover, the youngest of seven children, tells her story of growing up on a farm and junkyard in the shadow of Buck’s Peak in a Mormon enclave in southeast Idaho. Her mother was an unlicensed midwife and herbalist; her father was a builder of farm buildings and manager of the scrap yard. Although it is never confirmed, her domineering father most likely had bipolar disorder.
Tara’s three older brothers went to elementary school, but the four younger children did not and had no formal homeschooling. Education was limited to reading the Bible and the Book of Mormon. It was a survivalist family; they stockpiled fuel, food, and supplies. Life is difficult for Tara. Not only does her father lack empathy, her brother Shawn bullies and physically harms her.
Tara realizes her only salvation is to follow in the footsteps of her older brothers and seek higher education. She studies hard and scores high enough on the ACT to be accepted at Brigham Young University. Tara excels at BYU, wins scholarships, and receives a fellowship to study at Cambridge University, where she eventually earns a Ph.D. in history.
The memoir delves into the family relationships and the many physical injuries experienced by various members of the family. Because the father does not believe in modern medicine, the mother’s herbal preparations are the sole treatment for most injuries.
Tara is torn as she tries to decide whether to stay connected to her family despite their lack of acceptance of the truth about family happenings, or whether she should free herself from what she perceives as their failure.
Most Book Club members liked the book, although a few thought the stories were too dark. One said, “It was stranger than fiction!”
— Mariah Snyder, Book Club member
Book Club to discuss Educated: A Memoir
Fri, Mar 15 2019, 2pm
Mariah Snyder will lead a discussion of Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover when the UMRA Book Club meets on Friday, March 15, at 1666 Coffman in Falcon Heights. For more information, contact Pat Tollefson at [email protected].
Upcoming Events
Our July 15 "hike" is going to be a kayaking adventure on Bde Maka Ska (formerly Lake Calhoun) and Lake of the Isles! If you don't have a kayak (or paddleboard), Wheel Fun Rentals, located next to the new concession stand rents single kayaks at $15 an hour and double kayaks at $25. The second hour is free if we rent before noon. Life jackets are provided with the rental.
Laura Ericksen will lead the discussion of How Stella Learned to Talk by Christina Hunger, a true story by a speech-language pathologist who taught her dog, Stella, to communicate using buttons associated with different words.
Our August 5 hike will be a reprise of our hike last summer at William O'Brien State Park. This is a beautiful park with a winding trail and a great view of the countryside. The hike is about 5.5 to 6 miles and we'll go at a moderate pace with frequent water breaks. After the hike, we will eat lunch at Rustic Roots Winery, a half mile north of the park.
Kathy Cramer will lead the discussion of The Bookbinder by Pip Williams, a book set in 1914 Oxford chronicling the life of Peggy who works in the University bindery, but craves a life beyond binding books but to being a scholar herself.
Enjoy a two-hour cruise on the Jonathan Padelford, leaving from the Harriet Island dock in St. Paul, boarding time at 5:30 p.m. We will have a brief program on board by Patrick Nunnally from the River Life Program of the Institute on the Environment.
August 31 is the due date for annual reports and updates. Annual Reports, Toolkits, web page updates, operating document updates and archives collections are all due each year on this date.
Autumn is a wonderful season in Minnesota so plan to join UMRA at the Andersen Horticultural Library at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Kristen Mastel, head librarian and curator, will reveal its treasure trove of publications and artifacts relating to plant history, horticulture, and natural history. After the tour, those who are interested may stay to eat lunch together, sitting outside if the weather is nice. Later, you are invited to a one-hour tram tour of the entire Arboretum that includes natural areas of flowering shrubs, bogs, and forests, family garden and landscaping showpieces, and the red barn farm
After a summer break the UMRA Photo Club will next meet September 10, 2024 in the meeting room of the Hennepin County St. Anthony Branch Library. For those interested in lunch, meet at the Great Dragon at 11:30 am. For September the THEME will be Curves
We will continue to discuss the pros and cons of Medicare Advantage. You will also hear about notable non-health plan and non-broker resources.