Oprah Winfrey Announces ‘The Tell’ by Amy Griffin as New Book Club Selection

On Tuesday, during her appearance on “CBS Mornings,” Oprah Winfrey revealed her latest book club selection: The Tell, written by Amy Griffin. This memoir delves into the intricate relationship between secrecy, shame, and self-empowerment, as Griffin recounts her experience with childhood sexual abuse by a teacher—trauma she suppressed for many years.

The Power of Vulnerability

Griffin’s narrative is not just a personal account; it aims to inspire others who have faced similar circumstances. Winfrey emphasized the potential impact of Griffin’s memoir, stating, “This book is going to help so many other people, particularly people who have suffered any kind of sexual abuse or any kind of shame, reveal for themselves.”

A Transformative Journey

The memoir-writing process was a long and challenging endeavor for Griffin, who described it as “freeing.” She expressed that she had constructed metaphorical “walls and castles and moats” in an attempt to safeguard herself, yet discovered liberation through the act of sharing her story. “When you realize that vulnerability is really the power that you have … it changed so much in my life, in my relationships in every form,” she reflected.

Shared Experiences and Connections

Winfrey herself resonated with Griffin’s journey, sharing her own traumatic experiences of being raped at the age of nine and molested until she was fourteen. She highlighted the societal pressure many women face to maintain an illusion of perfection while concealing their trauma. “When you live in this perfect environment, you don’t want to have to admit to yourself that something is wrong,” Winfrey remarked.

Recognition and Healing

Griffin credited her children with helping her confront her past. She recalled a poignant moment when her daughter told her, “Mom, you are here, but you’re not really here,” which propelled Griffin to seek healing.

Despite pursuing legal action against her abuser, she noted that her true path to resolution came through her personal healing process. “This is not his story,” she firmly stated, emphasizing her ownership of her narrative.

Availability of ‘The Tell’

The Tell is currently available for purchase. To learn more about the memoir and hear discussions surrounding it, listeners can tune into The Oprah Podcast, available on YouTube or through various podcast providers.