Educated

This book tells the story of Tara, a girl born in the mountainous region of Idaho, USA. Growing up in a junkyard, she rewrote her life through education.

Through continuous learning, she broke free from the scars and limitations of her upbringing, finding redemption and liberation through reflecting on her past.

Before reading this book, I thought it was a fictional story by the author, but I was surprised to learn that it was her own personal experience. I was deeply moved by Tara’s spirit after finishing it.

Tara had never set foot in a school before the age of 17, and she grew up in an extreme family environment that felt like a cage:

Her father had strong and ignorant beliefs, her mother was weak and submissive, and her brother Shawn subjected her to continuous violence and bullying. However, despite her fear and breakdown, she chose to escape with a resilient heart. Breaking free from the constraints of reality, she went from Harvard University to a Ph.D. in history. With an academic achievement, she shone brightly among the crowd, ultimately escaping from her tragic family and leaving behind a life without autonomy, like a free bird flying towards her own mountain.

I cannot imagine what my life would have been like if I had been born into such a family. Perhaps I would have given up on myself long ago. If I had read…