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Yun's Reviews > Educated
Educated
by
by
Here's the thing: when I read a memoir, I'm looking for something real, something that encapsulates enough of the truth as to be authentic. But the events in this book are pretty unbelievable.
Tara had never gone to school before applying for college. Her mom tried to homeschool her, but gave up early on. Without ever having studied or developed the discipline for learning, Tara teaches herself a variety of subjects well enough to ace the ACT and get into a good university. This all happens while she's simultaneously working for her dad at a junkyard, getting injured herself and watching others be grievously injured too, and being physically and emotionally abused by her brother.
I believe people can do a lot if they put their mind to it, but this is pretty far-fetched. It's natural to embellish the truth in order to tell a good story, but I have to wonder how much of it was really true and how much was the embellishment. Sure, there is a small possibility that everything happened exactly as described. But it's so remote that I have trouble suspending my disbeliefs. If this was fiction, I'd be okay with it. But since it's billed as nonfiction, I'm kind of skeptical.
But for me, the most frustrating thing about this memoir is reading about Tara justifying her brother's abuse towards her, and her parents' choice to turn the blind eye to what was going on. She's constantly rethinking what happened, with each subsequent version being more and more watered down until she no longer remembers if her brother even hurt her in the first place. She follows these people like a puppy, begging for their love and attention, even as they continue to mistreat and threaten her.
Am I the only one who thinks that's just bananas? She's essentially using the book as a form of therapy to justify the behavior of people who abused her. I'm sorry, but I just can't get on board with that. It was exhausting to read, and it's not clear she made any real progress on getting past this. Even at the end, she seems ready to forgive her parents if they ever say the word.
The writing style is philosophical and ruminating, with overly ornate language at times. There are so many passages in which she's overthinking things, but without gaining any of the key insight she really needs.
It's ironic this book is called "Educated," when it never makes clear if and what exactly she has learned through all of this.
Tara had never gone to school before applying for college. Her mom tried to homeschool her, but gave up early on. Without ever having studied or developed the discipline for learning, Tara teaches herself a variety of subjects well enough to ace the ACT and get into a good university. This all happens while she's simultaneously working for her dad at a junkyard, getting injured herself and watching others be grievously injured too, and being physically and emotionally abused by her brother.
I believe people can do a lot if they put their mind to it, but this is pretty far-fetched. It's natural to embellish the truth in order to tell a good story, but I have to wonder how much of it was really true and how much was the embellishment. Sure, there is a small possibility that everything happened exactly as described. But it's so remote that I have trouble suspending my disbeliefs. If this was fiction, I'd be okay with it. But since it's billed as nonfiction, I'm kind of skeptical.
But for me, the most frustrating thing about this memoir is reading about Tara justifying her brother's abuse towards her, and her parents' choice to turn the blind eye to what was going on. She's constantly rethinking what happened, with each subsequent version being more and more watered down until she no longer remembers if her brother even hurt her in the first place. She follows these people like a puppy, begging for their love and attention, even as they continue to mistreat and threaten her.
Am I the only one who thinks that's just bananas? She's essentially using the book as a form of therapy to justify the behavior of people who abused her. I'm sorry, but I just can't get on board with that. It was exhausting to read, and it's not clear she made any real progress on getting past this. Even at the end, she seems ready to forgive her parents if they ever say the word.
The writing style is philosophical and ruminating, with overly ornate language at times. There are so many passages in which she's overthinking things, but without gaining any of the key insight she really needs.
It's ironic this book is called "Educated," when it never makes clear if and what exactly she has learned through all of this.
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Reading Progress
July 29, 2018
– Shelved
July 30, 2018
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Started Reading
August 4, 2018
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Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 117 (117 new)
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Amy
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rated it 3 stars
Aug 04, 2018 11:38PM
One of my book clubs is reading this book for August. Your description of the writing style as firmly decided for me that I'm going to listen to the audio book so I can play candy crush while I'm doing it. LOL!
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Amy wrote: "One of my book clubs is reading this book for August. Your description of the writing style as firmly decided for me that I'm going to listen to the audio book so I can play candy crush while I'm d..."Hehe that's a good idea. I'm looking forward to seeing what you think of it. So many people loved it, so I'm definitely an odd man out on this.
I'm currently at the point where her dad very nearly killed her by having her climb up into the junk truck and she gets pinned. OMG! I really hate this guy, and it sounds like it gets worse.
Amy wrote: "I'm currently at the point where her dad very nearly killed her by having her climb up into the junk truck and she gets pinned. OMG! I really hate this guy, and it sounds like it gets worse."That scene is crazy, but it just gets crazier from there!
This has been the most annoying book I have ever read? I still have two hours of audio and I want to scratch my face off!🤣🤬
Nancy wrote: "This has been the most annoying book I have ever read? I still have two hours of audio and I want to scratch my face off!🤣🤬"Eep, Nancy! Ah, sorry you didn't like this book either. 😕
I tend to agree with your review in terms of believability. I often felt like the author’s path through life as described couldn’t possibly have happened that way. Furthermore - and I realize this could be a common criticism of memoirs - she just seems to have an astounding memory of so many events and conversations. It wasn’t altogether a disagreeable read, and so I gave it 3 stars, but I’d feel better if I knew how close to reality it is.
John wrote: "I tend to agree with your review in terms of believability. I often felt like the author’s path through life as described couldn’t possibly have happened that way. Furthermore - and I realize this ..."Thanks for your comment, John! I agree with you, and I'm also curious how much of this was true versus exaggeration. For me, I prefer my memoirs to be as truthful as possible (otherwise, it would be fiction!) And this really stretched the possibility of believability.
Great review! I struggled with the same things you did.
Lucy wrote: "Great review! I struggled with the same things you did."Thanks, Lucy! Ah, sorry you ran into similar issues.
Sorry to hear this was such a flop, Yun! I had also heard so many positive things about this book but, the subject matter is too taxing for me to have ever even tried to read it. Thank you for your review! I'm glad to read a most honest take on it!
Chantel wrote: "Sorry to hear this was such a flop, Yun! I had also heard so many positive things about this book but, the subject matter is too taxing for me to have ever even tried to read it. Thank you for your..."Thanks, Chantel! It was just so out there that it was pretty unbelievable. If it was fiction, I'd probably take to it more, but since it's supposed to be a memoir, I just have a hard time believing it.
Great review, Yun! And I agree with you and felt the same way too.
Lynette wrote: "Great review, Yun! And I agree with you and felt the same way too."Thanks, Lynette! Glad I'm not the only one feeling a bit skeptical here. :)
this book felt wrong. Like how she didn't know about holocaust and if I remember correctly the meaning of n-word and yet we know they had computer and internet. The way they were uneducated, yet I think 2 or 3 siblings got phds. I remember it felt very confusing to me while I was reading it.
Excellent review and I understand your points. This won’t be for me either, Yun. ♥️
nastya wrote: "this book felt wrong. Like how she didn't know about holocaust and if I remember correctly the meaning of n-word and yet we know they had computer and internet. The way they were uneducated, yet I ..."I totally agree. There's something about it that doesn't all hang together. Obviously we all exaggerate a bit to tell a good story, but this one felt fishy lol.
Kat (Books are Comfort Food) wrote: "Excellent review and I understand your points. This won’t be for me either, Yun. ♥️"Thanks, Kat! 💖
great honest review, I never could finish this one. I found it unbelievable !
Hi Yun! I liked this book a lot more. However, I understand how it can be received from most readers. I hope you have a more enjoyable experience with your next read.
I remember loving this book when I read it, but these are some good points. Another thing I thought was that it is marketed as the theme being education, but reading it I felt like her family experiences and abuse were really at the center of the book and the education aspect was mentioned more fleetingly.
Dorie - Cats&Books :) wrote: "great honest review, I never could finish this one. I found it unbelievable !"Thanks, Dorie! Glad it's not just me that felt that way.
Christina wrote: "Hi Yun! I liked this book a lot more. However, I understand how it can be received from most readers. I hope you have a more enjoyable experience with your next read."Thanks, Christina! Glad this was a more enjoyable experience for you! :)
Jackie wrote: "I remember loving this book when I read it, but these are some good points. Another thing I thought was that it is marketed as the theme being education, but reading it I felt like her family exper..."Right, the education was somewhat secondary. I think this just didn't end up being what I thought it would be. I'm glad it worked a lot better for you, and you loved it! :)
Dang Yun, I feel like you haven't enjoyed many of the recent books you have read lol
Thanks for this review, Yun. One less book to worry about reading.
Matt wrote: "Dang Yun, I feel like you haven't enjoyed many of the recent books you have read lol"I read this one a while back, but I've actually been having a pretty good reading month for March! The Maid is my only miss so far this month! ;)
R.J. wrote: "Thanks for this review, Yun. One less book to worry about reading."Thanks, R.J.! That's the right spirit! ;)
Great review, Yun! Definitely understand your reasons for not liking this one. Hope your next read is better!
Love the summary of your review in that you found it difficult to associate with what you just read :)
Oh wow Yun! You believe the author is falsifying or embellishing her experiences? The justifying of her brother's abuse does sound particularly problematic!
An honest and interesting review that's made me more curious if anything! 😅
laura � wrote: "Great review, Yun! Definitely understand your reasons for not liking this one. Hope your next read is better!"Thanks, Laura! :)
Baba wrote: "Love the summary of your review in that you found it difficult to associate with what you just read :)"Thanks, Baba! :)
Jonathan wrote: "Oh wow Yun! You believe the author is falsifying or embellishing her experiences? The justifying of her brother's abuse does sound particularly problematic!
An honest and interesting review that's..."
Thanks, Jonathan! I know we all embellish a little to tell a good story, but this one feels like it's gone past that into possibly fishy territory. I don't think I'm the only reader who thinks so. If you ever read it, I'd be curious to see your take. :)
I always love your reviews, Yun! This one offered a different perspective for me as I actually did love this book. I don’t think it’s too far fetched to believe her complete lack of education (I think that’s where the “Educated� theme comes through most), family isolation, and response to family abuse, though. I have worked in the mental health field for a long time and have seen more unbelievable things, but I suppose it’s possible that she embellished. I can definitely understand your insight - sorry it was a flop for you!
Sorry this one didn’t work for you, Yun! I never even considered that it had been embellished, as I was too stunned thinking about the impacts of mental illness and abuse on families, and the fact that all of this occurred not very long ago in the US!!! She did actually win that scholarship and study at those universities and it must have been a truly tough transition. Whichever the case, I hope that her life going forward is much easier and that your next read is more believable!
I couldn't agree more. Highly anticipated, it was anything but expected though I decided against finishing it.
I enjoyed reading your thoughts, and agree with your criticism. I, too, felt the book had issues. Wonderful review, Yun! 😊
Thanks for your honesty. Wonderful review Yun!
Interesting take on this. Sorry it didn't work for you.
I enjoyed this more than you, Yun, but you make some valid points. Fine review.
Sam wrote: "I always love your reviews, Yun! This one offered a different perspective for me as I actually did love this book. I don’t think it’s too far fetched to believe her complete lack of education (I th..."Thanks, Sam! Appreciate your kind words, especially because we had different thoughts on this. We all embellish somewhat when telling stories, so that's ok. But this one felt more embellished than the norm lol. Still, glad it rang true for you! :)
Heather wrote: "Sorry this one didn’t work for you, Yun! I never even considered that it had been embellished, as I was too stunned thinking about the impacts of mental illness and abuse on families, and the fact ..."Thanks, Heather! Her accomplishments are definitely real. I just thought her struggles were a bit fishy, all things considered. Everyone embellishes when telling stories to make them more appealing, but this one felt a bit too much so, at least to me. I'm glad you enjoyed and it rang true for you. :)
Jonathan wrote: "I couldn't agree more. Highly anticipated, it was anything but expected though I decided against finishing it."Thanks, Jonathan! Glad I wasn't the only one who thought this fell a bit short.
Anne wrote: "I enjoyed reading your thoughts, and agree with your criticism. I, too, felt the book had issues. Wonderful review, Yun! 😊"Thanks, Anne! Glad it's not just me that had issues with this one! 🤗
Miya wrote: "Thanks for your honesty. Wonderful review Yun!"Thanks, Miya! :)
Linda wrote: "Interesting take on this. Sorry it didn't work for you."Thanks, Linda! :)
Barbara wrote: "I enjoyed this more than you, Yun, but you make some valid points. Fine review."Thanks, Barbara! Glad you enjoyed this one more! :)
Love your honesty, Yun. It's very in vogue now for people to share a sob story with the 'look how I've overcome and set an example' theme, and often it seems to be more of an attention-seeking tool and just doesn't ring true. Or, even if it's true, it's diluted by the many who've come before. For me, it's so pervasive that it's made me cynical. I'm tired of the pity me/celebrate me theme. This book is one I'll skip for now.
I had my doubts about this one as I was reading, also. I did some investigating and was convinced of its truth. Although, some of it could be greatly exaggerated.
