The Tell

A Memoir

By: Amy Griffin

Narrated by: Amy Griffin

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • OPRAH’S BOOK CLUB PICK • An astonishing memoir that explores how far we will go to protect ourselves, and the healing made possible when we face our secrets and begin to share our stories.

“The Tell encourages us to recognize that sometimes you must understand your own pain to fully experience life’s greatest joys—and Amy’s courage, vulnerability, and insight are a gift to us all.”—Reese Witherspoon, TIME 100 Most Influential People of 2025

“A beautiful account of the journey of courage it takes to face the truth of one’s past.”—Bessel van der Kolk, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Body Keeps the Score

For decades, Amy ran. Through the dirt roads of Amarillo, Texas, where she grew up; to the campus of the University of Virginia, as a student athlete; on 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 herself. “You’re here, but you’re not here,” her daughter said to her one night. “Where are you, Mom?” So began Amy’s quest to solve a mystery trapped in the deep recesses of her own memory—a journey that would take her into the burgeoning field of psychedelic therapy, to the limits of the judicial system, and ultimately, home to the Texas panhandle, where her story began.

In her search for the truth, to understand and begin to recover from buried childhood trauma, Griffin interrogates the pursuit of perfectionism, control, and maintaining appearances that drives so many women, asking, when, in our path from girlhood to womanhood, did we learn to look outside ourselves for validation? What kind of freedom is possible if we accept the whole story and embrace who we really are? With hope, heart, and relentless honesty, she points a way forward for all of us, revealing the power of radical truth-telling to deepen our connections—with others and ourselves.

©2025 Amy Griffin (P)2025 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“The Tell is a beautiful account of the journey of courage it takes to face the truth of one’s past, and the beneficial role that a combination of skillful therapy and psychedelics can play in putting one’s life in order.”—Bessel van der Kolk, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Body Keeps the Score

“Transformative and illuminating . . . Through every agonizing revelation, Amy Griffin refuses to pave over her pain, opting instead to embrace the entirety of it. This is a powerful story of what can happen when self-compassion replaces fear as the governing force of one’s life.”—Chanel Miller, New York Times bestselling author of Know My Name

“The Tell is the most powerful memoir I’ve read in years. It’s the rare story that will liberate you from shame, empower you to stop cycles of abuse, and make it safer for you to tell the truth. It left me filled with hope.”—Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Think Again

A brave person shares her story - it will help others

Because of Amy’s courage in sharing her story, I gained insight into how painful memories can be suppressed. It’s an inspiring story filled with much hope.

Raw emotions!

Amy telling this personal story was incredible! I finished in one day, I don’t think I have cried so much listening to a book! She is brave and an inspiration!

Brilliant vulnerable story

Amy’s story is one of triumph and telling of the awful abuse she suffered and the lessons she’s learned and freedom from telling. Great book.

Living with trauma, finding your true self, and loving that person.

I did not dislike anything about this listen. So sad that this is just one of so many stories.

Strength and courage

Wow. This telling is full of wonder and wisdom, strength and courage. I appreciate the careful way in which the message behind the actual telling was told. 1 in 3 girls are abused.. ? That is a hard statistic to process but one that needs the light to shine brighter on. A brave work that will help guide many to the healing that awaits on the other side.

Subject Matter

It was a exceptional parallel to my current struggles. Finding my way out of my house one day.

Her dignity .

It made me realize a lot of us have unimaginable baggage. Time to let go.

Acceptance

It was emotional, empathic, real! A true tail of overcoming and acceptance of who one is and is allowed to be. Vulnerable and strong!

Insightful and honest

This was a very detailed portrayal of a person’s life and trauma. The insight, the author has into herself, her life and other people is amazing. She is a beautiful writer and a beautiful person. I loved how she processed her inner world for all of us. She is very thoughtful and very honest. I would highly recommend this book.

Beautifully written and read.

Such a beautifully written novel about what it feels like to carry trauma in the body. Amy writes powerfully and raw about her experiences. An unmistaken glimpse into what happens in the mind and soul of a sexual trauma survivor.