Noelyn
asked:
Couldn't put it down, I nearly finished the entire book in one sitting. But I'm curious, does anyone know how it compares to The Liar's Club and The Glass Castle? (I'm wondering if I'm amazed at this memoir solely because I haven't read anything similar to this before, and that if I had read those two books prior to this, I wouldn't have been as mesmerised by Educated.)
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Kris
While I enjoyed "The Glass Castle," I do feel that "Educated" is a cut above. Very similar protagonists, for sure -- incredibly bright women who were achievers. But I think that the woman who wrote The Glass Castle was more of an attention seeker, more of the type of person who needed to prove how much she had risen above her family background (which surprisingly had a darker thread of abuse than Tara Westover's). I saw Jeannette Walls speak at a speaker's series, and was dynamic and interesting and pretty impressed with herself. I feel that Tara was more humble in the telling of her story.
Anna
I read all 3 memoirs and Glass Castle is my favorite. I personally found Jeannette Walls a more likeable narrator. Memoirs are my favorite genre, and I have read many. Glass Castle remains in my top 10 favorite books. I felt that Walls had come to a level of acceptance with her family that seemed unobtainable with Westover. I liked them in this order. 1. Glass Castle 2. Liar's Club 3. Educated.
Avid
I read glass castle years ago, and i was definitely reminded of it while reading this one. However, due to the title, Educated kept me feeling more hopeful throughout, and ultimately vindicated my lifelong belief in the life-changing (-saving?) power of education. I don’t remember feeling anything positive after finishing glass castle (although, again, it’s been many years).
Melanie
I am in the middle of reading Educated and can barely put it down. I read The Glass Castle years ago and remember hating it. Educated is not only fascinating; her writing is poetic and beautiful.
Angel Hench
I have ready many memoirs (including Glass Castle and Hillbilly Elegy) and this one is just a step above those, though I did enjoy those others. This memoir is really well written and she has a fascinating story. I'm betting you enjoyed this one because it is great! =)
Cindy
I found that it was similar to, “Running With Scissors,� By Augusten Borroughs. Another unimaginable way to grow up, survive, and live triumphantly despite childhood trauma.
Alison
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Genevieve
Both Educated and Glass Castle present an insiders view of living with parents who are unconventional (and likely suffer from some form of mental illness). Both written by brave and enduring women. Both hard to put down.
Robert Blumenthal
I'd say it's on a par with those memoirs, though I liked The Glass Castle and Educated more than The Liar's Club.
Melissa
Im only halfway through Educated, so this may change. There are definitely reasons to compare and contrast it with Glass Castle. So far, I like Glass Castle much more. It had a lot more funny and light-hearted moments to break up the rather abusive things that happen. Another person who replied said the narrator of Glass Castle just seemed more "likeable" and I think that is where I am at too. Don't get me wrong, I am still enjoying Educated but I think it's a bit drier than GC.
Eveline G.
It does compare slightly to THE GLASS CASTLE but, in my opinion, EDUCATED, was much better written and kept my interest better.
Marcia
I liked all three, but Glass Castle was indeed the best IMO. Parts of Educated left me puzzled and parts of Liars were confusing.
Sidna
I think the obvious comparison is "The Glass Castle." Both were written by bright women who were raised in lunatic families and rose above it. I did pretty much read it in one sitting. I couldn't sleep last night so I read the first three chapters and read the rest of it today. Haven't read a book in one sitting in a long time!
Pat
I read The Glass Castle and Running With Scissors. At least one of the parents in each of these books suffered a mental illness. I believe that is a major problem in our health care system as well as society. Part of the situation in these memoirs is the adults aversion to health care. In any case these stories as well as Hillbilly Elegy are true tales of survival. To me that is the reason they are so mesmerizing.
Noelyn
Thank you for your insightful replies! I'm comforted that my love for Westover's memoir isn't due to my ignorance.
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