What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedEducated
Tara Westover · Book · 2018
If you loved Educated, start with Sex Education (Laurie Nunn, 2019) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Educated across media.
What hooked you in Educated was the way the struggle for self-definition forces a painful reckoning with family and origin.
Films on the same thread
Lady Bird
Greta Gerwig · Film · 2017
Explores: Mother-Daughter Relationship, Teenage Rebellion, Self-Discovery.
Like the protagonist of Educated, Lady Bird navigates the tense, complicated boundary between seeking independence and honoring the deeply ingrained influence of a difficult mother-daughter dynamic.
The Breadwinner
Nora Twomey · Film · 2017
Explores: female empowerment, survival, family loyalty.
The Breadwinner mirrors the survivalist spirit found in Educated, showing a young woman who must defy oppressive family and societal expectations to secure her own path forward.
Winter's Bone
Debra Granik · Film · 2010
Explores: Poverty, Family Loyalty, Female Protagonist.
Ree Dolly’s grim determination to protect her kin while navigating a harsh, insular world echoes the visceral survival instincts that define the early life described in Educated.
An Education
Lone Scherfig · Film · 2009
Explores: Loss of Innocence, Age Gap Romance, Social Class.
An Education captures the same tension between a sheltered, restrictive past and the academic ambition that serves as a vital, transformative escape route, much like in Educated.
Series on the same thread
Sex Education
Laurie Nunn · Series · 2019
Explores: Sexual Awakening, Teenage Angst, Social Awkwardness.
While tonally lighter, this series explores the messy, often awkward process of forming one's own identity away from parental influence, a core element of the growth in Educated.
Patrick Melrose
David Nicholls · Series · 2018
Explores: Trauma, Addiction, Upper-class dysfunction.
Patrick Melrose offers a parallel to the generational trauma explored in Educated, providing a raw, unflinching look at the long-term psychological impact of an unstable and damaging upbringing.
Chernobyl
Craig Mazin · Series · 2019
Explores: Nuclear Disaster, Government Cover-Up, Sacrifice.
The focus on systemic failure and individual sacrifice against overwhelming institutional odds will resonate with anyone moved by the search for truth within the rigid structures of Educated.
Sharp Objects
Marti Noxon · Series · 2018
Explores: Trauma, Small Town Secrets, Dysfunctional Family.
Camille Preaker’s journey back into a toxic hometown to confront buried secrets mirrors the unsettling process of reconciling one's identity with a traumatic past, as seen in Educated.
Podcasts on the same thread
Nice White Parents
Serial Productions & The New York Times · Podcast · 2022
Explores: systemic inequality, educational reform, privilege and power.
This investigative look at educational reform explores the same power dynamics and systemic inequalities that shaped the limited opportunities available to the author of Educated during childhood.
The Preamble
Sharon McMahon · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Critical thinking, Media literacy, Civic engagement.
Much like the intellectual awakening that changed the author's life in Educated, this podcast emphasizes the necessity of critical thinking and knowledge as tools for navigating a complex world.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Educated a work of fiction?
No, Educated is a memoir written by Tara Westover. It documents her personal journey from being kept out of school in a survivalist family to eventually earning a PhD from Cambridge University.
What is the central theme of Educated?
The central theme of Educated is the process of self-invention and the courage required to leave a survivalist upbringing. It details the author's pursuit of formal education despite being denied schooling during her childhood.
Was Educated a successful book upon release?
Yes, Educated was a significant success. It became a number one New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Boston Globe bestseller. It was also named one of the ten best books of the year by The New York Times.
How is Educated described by critics?
Critics have described Educated as an unforgettable memoir and an act of courage and self-invention. It is widely considered one of the most acclaimed books of our time.