Nicole answers “This book is disgusting to me. I do not...”

Patricia Barry asked this question about Educated:

This book is disgusting to me. I do not understand why an educated and worldly individual would have difficulty understanding the horrible and violent upbringing that she experienced. It is unbelievable to me that she could not understand the violent situation, yet uneducated upbringing she endured. I have completely misunderstood her manner of education in a life in our country, in this country, how is this possible?

Nicole I think you may need to re-read the book again, not through your prism of experience, but from the author's, as much as you possibly can. In the eyes …moreI think you may need to re-read the book again, not through your prism of experience, but from the author's, as much as you possibly can. In the eyes of this country, the author did not EXIST for 9 years. She knew very little beyond the boundaries of the mountainside where she lived for nearly a dozen years. She received virtually no education. She had no frame of reference to compare and understand that the way her family lived is not the way most do. It was only through the help of her older brother, who saw how naturally intelligent she was, that she found a way out, and slowly received a formal education. She also acknowledges in the book during this transformation of also experiencing what sounds like a nervous breakdown and a sort of PTSD. Of going through years of therapy to try and piece together what happened to her and how to place some perspective around it.

And if you have any doubt that this can and does happen in this country, you may want to read up on David and Louise Turpen's dozen abused, malnourished and uneducated children, six of whom ranged in aged from 18-29 years old when they were released from their hell. Found smack dab in the middle of a California subdivision. (less)

flag

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more