Tara would spend much of the rest of her time on Buck’s Peak subject to Shawn’s displays of kindness, which were all too often followed by displays of terrifying cruelty and violence. But his non-consensual laying of hands on Tara foreshadowed what was to come between the two siblings. This harsh “treatment” actually did help: Tara could once again pivot her neck. Tara soon had her own firsthand experience with Shawn’s volatility when he, without warning, put his hands around her head and violently twisted it-to help pop her neck back into place following the accident, or so he claimed. Shawn had an unsavory reputation in the community, being well-known as a bully, brawler, and all-around provocateur. He had now returned home after many years of being away. Being the youngest, Tara had a minimal relationship with Shawn up to this point, as he had left the family home at 17 to pursue work in trucking and welding.

It was at this time that a figure with whom she’d had little previous contact entered her life: her older brother Shawn Westover. Her mother’s homeopathic treatments and energy healing did nothing to alleviate her pain. In the weeks following a car crash, Tara experienced great difficulty moving her neck.

We’ll look at Shawn Westover’s relationship with the author and cover parts of Educated that might indicate why Tara chose not to reveal Shawn’s real name, even though she used the real names of at least three of her four other brothers. Shawn Westover is the fictitious name Tara Westover gives to one of her brothers in her memoir Educated. Who is Shawn Westover? What is Shawn’s relationship with his sister Tara like? And why doesn’t Tara Westover reveal his real name? Like this article? Sign up for a free trial here.

Shortform has the world's best summaries of books you should be reading. This article is an excerpt from the Shortform summary of 'Educated' by Tara Westover.

Educated tara westover