The Tell: A Memoir

Writing and experiencing sexual and emotional abuse is traumatic and a very real experience to all the lives it touches. I consciously acknowledge how strong the author must be to recall it and brave to openly discuss it. But that's not what made me uncomfortable or dislike this book: it was the author's lack of consent, empathy to others, and how she always made the everything about her and her anger. She contradicted herself so often on how she respected others and they are entitled to be protected but then ignored them and dismissed them when to validate any of their feelings. It broke my heart when her children (10 and 13) were even aware that there is no space for them in the author's desire to be the constant attention. From her purposefully throwing temper tanrums during calm conversations when the others are approaching her consciously sensitive, to her as an adult blaming her parents for not being aware, to her recording her therapy sessions as if planning to make this a monetary experience, really bothered and irked me about the kind of person the author is. I acknowledge that trauma can effect others in many ways, but this author still needs work in therapy as this book shows her lack of privacy, respect, and anger. I wouldnt suggest this book to anyone.