By The Book Reviews

Review by By The Books Reviewer

Stefan Merrill Block's memoir, "Homeschooled," is a harrowing and deeply unsettling account of a childhood marred by isolation, misguided parental control, and the perils of an unregulated educational system. Block's narrative is a stark reminder of the potential dangers inherent in homeschooling when it becomes a tool for parental domination rather than a means of genuine education.

From the tender age of nine, Block was subjected to his mother's erratic and self-serving educational experiments. Under the guise of nurturing his supposed genius, she withdrew him from the traditional school system, plunging him into a world of bizarre and humiliating practices. The most egregious of these included forcing a twelve-year-old Block to crawl on all fours in a misguided attempt to improve his handwriting—a practice as absurd as it is cruel. Such episodes are not merely eccentric; they are emblematic of a profound neglect and a disturbing exercise of control. ([washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/books/2026/01/01/homeschooled-memoir-stefan-merrill-block-review/?utm_source=openai))

Block's mother, driven by her own unresolved traumas and delusions, imposed a curriculum—or lack thereof—that stifled his social development and intellectual growth. Her belief in his destined literary greatness led to an education devoid of structure, leaving Block to flounder in a sea of aimless days filled with television and solitude. This so-called "unschooling" was less about fostering creativity and more about satisfying his mother's need for control and companionship. ([washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/books/2026/01/01/homeschooled-memoir-stefan-merrill-block-review/?utm_source=openai))

The memoir does not shy away from depicting the psychological toll of such an upbringing. Block's reentry into public school was fraught with challenges, from severe acne to navigating a social landscape he was ill-prepared for. The narrative lays bare the long-term consequences of his mother's choices, painting a vivid picture of a child robbed of normalcy and subjected to an environment where love was wielded as a weapon of control. ([washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/books/2026/01/01/homeschooled-memoir-stefan-merrill-block-review/?utm_source=openai))

While Block's prose is undeniably compelling, the content is profoundly disturbing. The memoir serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked parental authority and the lack of oversight in homeschooling practices. It is a narrative that will leave readers questioning the boundaries between parental rights and child welfare, and the potential for abuse when those boundaries are blurred.

In conclusion, "Homeschooled" is a powerful but deeply troubling read. It is a testament to Block's resilience and a stark warning about the potential for harm when education is co-opted for parental control. While the memoir is undoubtedly well-written, its content is distressing and may be triggering for some readers. Approach with caution.

Recommendation: Read with caution.

written on: 1/15/2026