The Tell: A Memoir

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussions of rape and child sexual abuse.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Why was it important for Amy Griffin to write this book? How does the text itself contribute to the theme of “telling” and facilitate Amy’s healing process?

2. How does Amy grow over the course of the text? How does she change as a person, and how do her values and priorities shift?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. The Tell describes explicit trauma and abuse and traces the lasting impact of these experiences on Amy’s life. What emotional reactions did you have as you read about these events? Which passages were especially emotional or difficult to read?

2. Through her healing journey, Amy discovers that being vulnerable and sharing her experience actually strengthens her relationships and builds her trust in herself. Do you have any experiences with sharing deep secrets or vulnerable information? How did you feel after sharing your story?

3. Much of Amy’s repression is built on shame and The Societal Pressures of Perfectionism. Have you ever felt a similar pressure? How did you deal with it?