Prologue
Tara remembers climbing a mountain near her home. She hints at the
tension between her old life and the new one she will build through
education.
Chapter 1 – Choose the Good
Tara grew up in rural Idaho with survivalist parents who don’t trust schools or
doctors. Her father teaches her that outsiders are dangerous, and her
childhood is shaped by fear and isolation.
Chapter 2 – The Midwife
Her mother works as a midwife, often without proper training. Tara sees her
mother’s skills grow but also notices how unsafe it is without medical help.
Chapter 3 – Cream Shoes
Tara’s family is poor, and her father makes her ashamed of wanting things
like nice clothes. She learns early to hide her desires and blend in.
Chapter 4 – Apache Women
Her father tells stories about strong pioneer ancestors. Tara begins to see
women’s roles as only supporting men, shaping her view of gender.
Chapter 5 – Honest Dirt
Tara starts helping her dad in his junkyard, a dangerous job where she gets
hurt often. She learns to be tough but also feels unsafe.
Chapter 6 – Shield and Buckler
Her dad’s paranoia grows, and he prepares for the “end of days.” Tara and
her siblings pile up supplies and live with constant fear.
Chapter 7 – The Lord Will Provide
Tara’s mother becomes skilled in making herbal remedies. This becomes the
family’s only medicine, even during serious injuries.
Chapter 8 – Tiny Harlots
Tara’s older brother Shawn comes back home. At first he’s kind, but he starts
controlling Tara and calling her names, especially about her appearance.
Chapter 9 – Perfect in His Generation
Her father’s distrust of the government deepens, and Tara becomes more
isolated. She starts to wonder if there is another way to live.
Chapter 10 – Shield and Buckler
Tara tries to balance family loyalty with her own growing curiosity. She begins
to secretly study, dreaming about education.
Chapter 11 – Instinct
Shawn becomes more violent, sometimes protective but often abusive. Tara
feels trapped between love and fear.
Chapter 12 – Fish Eyes
Tara witnesses more abuse from Shawn, including towards their sister. The
family doesn’t acknowledge it, leaving Tara confused about what’s real.
Chapter 13 – Silence in the Churches
She starts attending church but feels judged for not fitting in. Tara struggles
with guilt and identity.
Chapter 14 – My Feet No Longer Touch Earth
Tara starts singing in public, and her talent is recognized. This gives her a
small taste of confidence and freedom.
Chapter 15 – No More a Child
Shawn’s abuse worsens, leaving Tara physically hurt and emotionally broken.
She begins to imagine escaping through education.
Chapter 16 – Disloyal Man, Faithful Woman
Her parents side with Shawn instead of Tara, teaching her that loyalty to
family is expected no matter the cost. She feels more alone.
Chapter 17 – To Keep It Holy
Tara secretly studies for the ACT, teaching herself math and grammar from
old textbooks. This becomes her path out.
Chapter 18 – Blood and Feathers
She takes the ACT and struggles but doesn’t give up. This test becomes the
bridge to her first chance at college.
Chapter 19 – In the Valley of the Shadow
Tara leaves home for Brigham Young University. She faces shock and
confusion in the outside world, especially her lack of basic knowledge.
Chapter 20 – Recitals of Virgil
In class, she realizes she doesn’t know what the Holocaust is, which
embarrasses her. This shows her how much she’s missed in her education.
Chapter 21 – Skipping Stones
Tara meets professors who encourage her learning. She begins to see herself
as capable of more than she was taught.
Chapter 22 – What We Whispered and What We Screamed
She struggles with feelings of shame when comparing herself to other
students. Still, she keeps working and slowly improves.
Chapter 23 – I Am Sick, I Am in France
Tara earns a chance to study abroad in Cambridge. It opens her world even
further, but she also feels the pull of home.
Chapter 24 – A Knight, Errant
In Cambridge, Tara learns how to think critically for the first time. She is
inspired by her professors.
Chapter 25 – The Act of Faith
Back home, Tara tries to balance family expectations with her new
independence. Conflict with her father grows.
Chapter 26 – Waiting for Moving Water
She returns to school and throws herself into studying history. Her love for
knowledge deepens.
Chapter 27 – If I Were a Woman
Tara starts seeing women differently, realizing they can live independent
lives. This changes how she views her own future.
Chapter 28 – Pygmalion
Professors help shape Tara into a scholar. She earns respect in ways she
never imagined as a child.
Chapter 29 – Graduation
Tara graduates from BYU, an achievement she never thought possible. Her
family barely acknowledges it.
Chapter 30 – Hand of the Almighty
She wins a prestigious scholarship to Cambridge for graduate study. The
distance from her family grows.
Chapter 31 – Tragedy at the Mountain
A serious accident happens back home, but her family still refuses medical
help. Tara sees how dangerous their way of life is.
Chapter 32 – A Brawl, Also, Is Free
Shawn’s violence continues, and Tara’s parents dismiss it. She feels torn
between loyalty and survival.
Chapter 33 – Sorcery of Physics
Tara studies at Harvard and Cambridge, pushing her to learn further. She
begins to see herself as separate from her family.
Chapter 34 – Contrition
She tries to confront her parents about Shawn’s abuse. They deny it, and her
family relationships begin to shatter.
Chapter 35 – West of the Sun
Tara reflects on the cost of telling the truth. She loses her parents’ support
but feels a step closer to freedom.
Chapter 36 – Four Long Arms, Whirling
Tara continues her studies but wrestles with deep emotional pain. She
struggles with loyalty, guilt, and her own identity.
Chapter 37 – Gambling for Redemption
Her father wants her to reject her education and return home. Tara refuses,
even though it breaks her heart.
Chapter 38 – Family
Her family turns against her more openly. Tara begins to accept that she may
lose them forever.
Chapter 39 – Watching the Buffalo
She finds strength in her own voice, realizing she can choose her life.
Education becomes her way of healing.
Chapter 40 – Educated
Tara reflects on the person she has become, separate from her family, but
finally her own. She understands that education is not just school but a way
to remake herself.
Epilogue
Tara explains that her education gave her two lives: the one she was born
into and the one she created. She accepts the loss of her family but values
the freedom she gained.
