I was bought this book as a present, from a friend. Even having just read the blurb, I was very keen to read the whole book, drawn in by the desire to read about an upbringing so different to mine. And once I started reading, I just wanted to keep going! The author describes her experiences so vividly, you can really see what kind of a childhood the author had. You can see how all the experiences influence each person differently, and how all their lives are impacted. In a way, the book becomes even more interesting as Tara begins to understand 'the outside world' - so different from what she is used to. It feels almost as if you are also experiencing things for the first time. A fascinating and inspiring read!

This was a captivating read. Religion always amazes me , that there are so many religions out here with heir own interpretation of meaning in the bible and in even one religion in one church different people will have different ideas. I was brought up as a Mormon and still hold dear those values I grew up with. This is a version of extremist Mormonism and a bipolar , paranoid father , who takes it so much further then necessary. I do not know any Mormon family like this. But again it is an example of fractions that occurs in religion and their ideas of what the scriptures mean and how they should live . Amazing how this young women got away and made the achievements that she did , but am left wondering about her religious views now as adult and away from her parents. True Mormonism is a beautiful religion about families and everlasting eternal love providing good morals and values and friendship .

This is a simply stunning narrative of overcoming adversity and the immense power and drive an education can provide. Westover tells the story of her family with warmth and a tenderness that belies the suffering she endured at the hands of both her parents and her older brother. She is honest about the highs as well as the lows of her upbringing and the pride she clearly felt as a 'good Mormon girl' when faced with other girls who hadn't been subjected to the constant pressures living a good Mormon life actually entailed at the Westover compound. There is great humour here, along with passages that are incredibly difficult to read and there are certainly topics discussed that many will find triggering, including violence and abuse. Ultimately, this is a story of hope and the power of faith in oneself and it is a book that everyone should read as I think everyone would find something to connect with in its pages. A truly remarkable achievement. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This was a fascinating autobiographical insight into the Mormon lifestyle, hopefully of a bigone era, with many surprising and shocking twists and turns. Beautifully written. It's not really a book to 'love', more one to admire hugely - both the life and the writing. Breathtaking!

I picked up this book because it featured in Barack Obama's summer reading list last year. I've just finished it and I'm so glad I came across Obama's recommendation. It is a jaw-dropping and powerful memoir about the author's upbringing within a survivalist Mormon family, her pursuit of education and the astonishing outcome of this. Westover writes with such intelligence, warmth and insight that you can't help being drawn into her extraordinary story.