My Thoughts

EDUCATED was very interesting to read. I especially found it interesting to read about how much her father and mother’s beliefs varied from mainstream Mormonism. It was funny to me that her father said the Illuminati had infiltrated the highest ranks of the religion. I wanted to ask him why he remained a member if that were true, but realized he wasn’t rational.

I think I have interesting connections to this story.

1. I grew up 40 miles south of her. My brother-in-law grew up in the same community as her family and his family is very much like her family, but maybe not quite as extreme.
2. I identify as a Mormon, although I don’t attend church regularly. I’m what Tara calls a mainstream Mormon as far as my own beliefs, even though I don’t agree with everything.
3. The issues she had with her family when it came to dealing with abuse sustained by her older brother was very similar to what I went through with my family when dealing with abuse from my brother-in-law (same one from above). As far as the abuse is concerned, I feel that both Tara’s family and my family have something in common. Because the abuse is “unseen,” the victim is just making waves and driving wedges and is therefore the antagonist. Like Tara, I felt betrayed and abandoned. That part of the story was very surreal and hard for me to read. Yet, I felt a kinship toward her as well.

I’m not surprised Tara left Mormonism or let go of it as much as she did. I know she still feels a connection to it with what she said about her Doctorate. I haven’t left Mormonism, but as I said above, I don’t attend church regularly and struggle with some of the doctrine and policies.

I’m glad I read EDUCATED even though I was avoiding it and it was hard to read at times. Tara’s life and retelling of it was very insightful, interesting, and inspiring. Her story made me appreciate my education. It made me appreciate that my parents emphasized getting good grades and doing well in school.