More than just a catharsis for the author

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.

In this powerful memoir, Griffin realizes there is something she is running from. Eventually, she tries alternative therapy, psychedelic therapy to be exact, to help bring her mind the protection it needs to release a traumatic past. From there, Griffin seeks justice and affirmation for what had happened. We see how the trauma affects her, her family, and others. I thank her for her vulnerability.

This book shows how psychedelic therapy can be helpful, and I look forward to more research in that area as time goes on.

I’m full of admiration for Amy telling her story. It’s beautifully written and although it’s not an easy read at times it is such a moving and helpful book.

In The Tell, Griffin lets readers in to her very personal experience of recognizing and living through the trauma and grief of her childhood sexual abuse at the hands of a trusted person. Feeling exhausted, run-down, constantly empty and on guard, though not sure why, adult Griffin partakes in psychedelic-assisted therapy where memories long forgotten and sealed off resurface. This deeply emotional memoir details her abuse and her process to justice and healing. Written with grace, vulnerability, and sincerity, The Tell is a book for mothers, sisters, survivors, and women everywhere.

Thank you Random House for the early copy in exchange for an honest review. Available Mar. 11 2025

Such an interesting narrative. The book was a bit slow to get started but once launched was full of interesting plot points and details and characters. I did question how the psychedelics fit in--would have liked a more nuanced explanation.

Amy's memoir truly deep and memorable. Her raw honesty and incredible courage made me feel seen and understood in ways I didn’t expect. Her story reminded me that even in our darkest moments, there’s hope and a way forward.

I applaud Amy for sharing her story. Brave and authentic and all hers! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Amazing writing.

An absolutely stunning memoir. I read it in one sitting and had tears streaming down my face for most of it. Amy - I admire your bravery in writing this. Thank you for "doing the work" and sharing it with all of us. So many of us (women especially) carry trauma and struggle with perfectionism and your book will help so many people.