Critics compare The Maybelline Story by Sharrie Williams and Educated by Tara Westover because both memoirs explore themes of personal transformation, resilience, and overcoming challenging upbringings, though in distinct contexts. Here’s a breakdown of the comparisons based on critical perspectives and thematic overlaps:
  1. Triumph Over Adversity:
    • In The Maybelline Story, Williams recounts the rise of the Maybelline cosmetics empire through her great-uncle Tom Lyle Williams’ entrepreneurial vision, intertwined with family dysfunction, scandals, and personal tragedies, such as an unsolved arson case. Critics note the book’s depiction of ambition and redemption as Williams navigates her family’s complex legacy of wealth, glamour, and secrecy.
    • In Educated, Westover details her journey from a survivalist Mormon family in rural Idaho, where she had no formal education, to earning a PhD from Cambridge University. Critics highlight her rebellion against her parents’ paranoid worldview and her transformative pursuit of knowledge despite abuse and isolation.
    • Both narratives showcase individuals rising above restrictive or chaotic environments—Williams through preserving her family’s legacy, Westover through academic achievement. Critics see parallels in their indomitable spirits and ability to forge identities beyond their origins.
  2. Complex Family Dynamics:
    • The Maybelline Story delves into the Williams family’s internal struggles, including betrayals, jealousy, and a quest for perfection that often led to personal and financial turmoil. Reviewers describe it as a saga of love, forgiveness, and dysfunction, with larger-than-life characters who remain vulnerable.
    • Educated explores Westover’s strained relationships with her parents and abusive brother, emphasizing the conflict between loyalty to family and self-preservation. Critics praise Westover’s nuanced portrayal of love and curiosity toward her family despite their failures.
    • Critics draw comparisons for the way both authors handle familial love and conflict, portraying their families with compassion while confronting painful truths. Both books avoid vilifying family members outright, instead offering layered perspectives on their flaws and humanity.
  3. Cultural and Historical Insight:
    • The Maybelline Story provides a lens into American enterprise, fashion, and Hollywood glamour, tracing the cosmetics industry’s evolution from the 1910s through the 20th century. Critics call it an educational dive into the cultural shifts of the 1920s and 1930s, with a soap opera-like narrative that captivates readers.
    • Educated offers insight into the fringes of American society, specifically rural Mormon survivalism, and the urban-rural divide. Critics note its commentary on how traditional American life can isolate individuals from opportunity, with education as a path to liberation.
    • Both books are seen as windows into distinct American subcultures—cosmetic entrepreneurship and isolated fundamentalism—yet both highlight the broader struggle to transcend one’s roots and engage with a larger world.
  4. Narrative Style and Emotional Depth:
    • Critics of The Maybelline Story praise its engaging, page-turning quality, though some find it overly lengthy or soap opera-esque due to its dramatic timeline and sprawling cast. Its strength lies in Williams’ candid storytelling and passion for her family’s legacy.
    • Educated is lauded for Westover’s lyrical, meditative prose and her careful navigation of memory’s unreliability. Critics note its emotional depth and restraint, though some find Westover’s voice less distinct than other memoirists like Mary Karr.
    • The comparison arises from both books’ ability to blend personal storytelling with broader societal themes, though Educated is often seen as more introspective and The Maybelline Story as more expansive and dramatic.
  5. Critical Reception and Memoir Genre:
    • Both books fit into the memoir genre’s wave of “triumph-over-adversity” stories, akin to The Glass Castle or Hillbilly Elegy, which explore dysfunctional upbringings and personal growth.
    • The Maybelline Story is celebrated for its entertainment value and historical scope but criticized by some for its drawn-out narrative or confusing timeline.
    • Educated has broader critical acclaim, with a 4.78/5 rating from Books in the Media and multiple award nominations, though some note minor flaws in its episodic structure.
    • Critics compare them as examples of memoirs that balance personal struggle with cultural commentary, appealing to readers seeking inspiring, transformative stories.
Why the Comparison? Critics likely draw these parallels because both books resonate with readers through their exploration of self-discovery and resilience against challenging backgrounds. While The Maybelline Story focuses on a glamorous, entrepreneurial dynasty and Educated on intellectual liberation from isolation, both capture the universal drive to redefine oneself. The comparison also reflects the memoir genre’s popularity, where stories of overcoming hardship—whether through business success or education—are culturally compelling. However, Educated tends to receive stronger critical praise for its introspective depth, while The Maybelline Story is valued for its vivid historical narrative and family drama.