A memoir about growing up in a survivalist Mormon family, where isolation and a father’s harsh fundamentalism conspire to destroy a budding spirit of curiosity. Despite the challenges, the determined Westover transcends her lot in life, steps into a classroom for the first time at the age of 17, and somehow excels both academically and emotionally. There’s nothing about this personal history—or the way in which it’s told—that isn’t impressive. The book is unputdownable. Reviewed on Oct. 8, 2020
Excellent book. Best of the year.
If not the best, close to it.