Roll over image to zoom in
The Tell: Oprah’s Book Club
£9.50
‘What beautiful writing, crafting, and pacing. And what a heart Amy Griffin has. Your own heart will break, and mend, as you read’ Susan Cain, #1 New York Times bestselling author
‘With this powerful little book, she joins the ranks of women who, like the brilliant Gisèle Pelicot in France, are shaking off the stigma of abuse and reattaching it to the perpetrators’ The Times
‘For such a long time, people discussed my running. It took up so much space in my life. And yet nobody ever thought to ask: What are you running from?’
For decades, Amy ran. Through the dirt roads of Amarillo, Texas, where she grew up; to the streets of New York, where she built her adult life; through marriage, motherhood, and a thriving career. To outsiders, it all looked, in many ways, perfect. But Amy was running from something – a secret she was keeping not only from her family and friends, but unconsciously from something terrible in her past.
When her ten-year-old daughter confronts her on the distance between them, Amy is propelled to confront what she has spent a lifetime trying to escape. So begins Amy’s journey through the world of MDMA-assisted psychedelic therapy, to the limits of the judicial system, and ultimately, home to Texas, where her story began.
In her relentless search for the truth, Griffin scrutinises the pursuit of perfectionism, control, and maintaining appearances that drives so many women. She asks the question: When, in our path from girlhood to womanhood, did we learn to look outside ourselves for validation? And what kind of freedom is possible if we better protect girls from being taken advantage of on this journey. Heartbreaking, powerful and raw, The Tell points a way forward for all of us, shedding light on the courage and power of truth-telling that’s required to move through trauma.
‘For such a long time, people discussed my running. It took up so much space in my life. And yet nobody ever thought to ask:
What are you running from?’
For decades, Amy ran. Through the dirt roads of Amarillo, Texas, where she grew up; to the streets of New York, where she built her adult life; through marriage, motherhood, and a thriving career. To outsiders, it all looked, in many ways, perfect. But Amy was running from something – a secret she was keeping not only from her family and friends, but unconsciously from something terrible in her past.
When her ten-year-old daughter confronts her on the distance between them, Amy is propelled to confront what she has spent a lifetime trying to escape. So begins Amy’s journey through the world of MDMA-assisted psychedelic therapy, to the limits of the judicial system, and ultimately, home to Texas, where her story began.
In her relentless search for the truth, Griffin scrutinises the pursuit of perfectionism, control, and maintaining appearances that drives so many women. She asks the question: When, in our path from girlhood to womanhood, did we learn to look outside ourselves for validation? And what kind of freedom is possible if we better protect girls from being taken advantage of on this journey. Heartbreaking, powerful and raw, The Tell points a way forward for all of us, shedding light on the courage and power of truth-telling that’s required to move through trauma.
Read more
Additional information
| Publisher | Ebury Digital (13 Mar. 2025) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| File size | 1.6 MB |
| Text-to-Speech | Enabled |
| Screen Reader | Supported |
| Enhanced typesetting | Enabled |
| X-Ray | Not Enabled |
| Word Wise | Enabled |
| Print length | 272 pages |
by Lady Fancifull
I’m generally rather wary of reading this kind of genre, rather unkindly described as ‘misery memoirs’ This is not because I have negative attitudes towards the genre itself, rather, I always question my own motivation for reading them. There can be a general human tendency towards a kind of gratuitous, prurient rubbernecking. You can see it in the very obvious way clickbait operates.
I would not have requested this at all, were it not for the fact that Bessel van der Kolk (The Body Keeps the Score) praises it. I work with people with PTSD, so always look to learn
Griffin’s story is not, sadly, an uncommon one. As one of the people she went to, when needing support for her own journey into healing, pointed out, 1 in 3 women will experience abuse. A pretty shocking, appalling statistic
Where she goes radically beyond the personal, is in an exploration and understanding of the learned culture which damages women, and gives rise to toxic masculinity. Griffin comes from a loving and supportive family,in her parents and siblings and was fortunate to find a life partner who is, perhaps, an unusually loving and supportive man. Their children, too, perhaps because of a generational positive environment, are perceptive and wise. However, as a Texan women, her cultural ocean was perhaps particularly focused towards women being graceful and gracious in supporting and validating their menfolk, for women to defer to masculine authority, and for men in positions of power to have a high sense of entitlement.
The book is also interesting in its exploration of psychedelics, particularly MDMA as a potential tool within therapy. Unfortunately we in the West have too much of a tendency to abuse these kinds of drugs, purely going for recreation with them. Sometimes with very negative results. Griffin worked with some wonderful practitioners and professionals in other areas, and recounts, clearly, her healing journey. She spends much more time on the upward spiral of her journey than the deeply horrible experience which traumatised her.
I could not avoid all my feelings of rage, disbelief and incomprehension that so many American, including so many women, were still minded to vote for a rapist and serial abuser of women, a man of arrogant conviction in his own rightness, to return as their President, over voting for a woman who so clearly is a woman of integrity, intelligence and heart. This is not the journey of this book, it is not overtly part of Griffin’s personal journey, but, for sure, this reader found her personal, is for sure, political.
by Patricia E. Bonte
I have to say, this was one of the best books I read in a long time.
by Cassandra Thurswell
This book is life-changing. Amy Griffin’s The Tell is a powerful testament to vulnerability and resilience. By bravely sharing her story, Griffin reminds us there’s far more to every life than we realize—and she challenges us to approach ourselves and others with greater compassion. I finished it in one sitting on a flight and couldn’t put it down.
Her writing is heartfelt and deeply engaging, making this book a genuine page-turner. I believe this book will be a catalyst for countless women on their healing journeys, showing that even in life’s darkest moments, hope and perseverance can shine through. Every woman can relate to Amy’s struggle in unraveling a secret so dark that even she couldn’t face it—until she finally did, transforming her life forever.
by C. Smith
Do not wait to read or listen to Amy’s beautifully written, touching story of innocence and love of family and friends while showing the reader bravery, vulnerability, and perseverance. This memoir will touch you, inspire you, break your heart, and give you hope simultaneously. The Tell was emotional; it brought me to tears one minute and made me smile the next. This book is a gift to anyone struggling with something deep within their soul. Hearing the audiobook in her voice was especially powerful; hearing her truth is beyond measure. Amy, thank you for sharing your story with the world.
by Preethi
What a powerful memoir! Strongly recommend this book.
by Dot Johnson
If you have self, childhood memories this book may help.not finished with book yet.