This Telling

My Thoughts

Cheryl Strayed brings her signature emotional honesty and beautiful prose to this Amazon Original Story, delivering a powerful meditation on motherhood, truth-telling, and the secrets families keep. In this compact narrative, she explores the difficult question: what do we owe our children when it comes to sharing our own painful histories?

The story centers on a mother grappling with how much to reveal to her daughter about her past—the mistakes, the traumas, the complicated truths that shaped who she became. Strayed handles this delicate territory with her characteristic blend of vulnerability and wisdom, never offering easy answers but instead exploring the nuances and contradictions inherent in these decisions.

What makes this story resonate is Strayed's understanding that there are no simple rules for these situations. She captures the tension between protection and honesty, between preserving innocence and preparing children for reality. The mother's internal struggle feels authentic and deeply relatable to anyone who has wrestled with how much truth to share with loved ones.

Strayed's prose is, as always, beautiful—lyrical without being precious, direct without being harsh. She has a gift for capturing complex emotions in precise, memorable language. Even in this shorter format, her voice comes through powerfully, making the story feel both intimate and universal.

The brevity of the short story format works well here. Strayed doesn't try to resolve everything neatly; instead, she gives us a moment in time, a crucial conversation, and lets us sit with the weight of it. The ambiguity feels appropriate rather than frustrating.

My only reservation is that readers unfamiliar with Strayed's work might find this too brief to fully engage with. The story assumes a certain emotional maturity and willingness to sit with difficult questions. But for those who appreciate Strayed's approach, this delivers exactly what you'd hope for—thoughtful, honest, beautifully written exploration of a universal human dilemma.

Why You'll Love It

• Cheryl Strayed's Voice: Her signature honesty and wisdom
• Beautiful Prose: Lyrical and precise writing
• Universal Themes: Motherhood, truth-telling, family secrets
• Emotional Depth: Genuine exploration of difficult questions
• Perfect Length: Short story that doesn't overstay its welcome
• Thought-Provoking: Lingers in your mind after reading

Perfect For

Fans of Cheryl Strayed's memoirs and essays (Wild, Tiny Beautiful Things), readers who appreciate thoughtful short fiction about family relationships, mothers wrestling with difficult parenting decisions, and anyone who values emotional honesty in writing. Great for a quick but meaningful read.

Final Verdict

This Telling is vintage Cheryl Strayed—honest, beautiful, and deeply human. She takes a universal dilemma about truth-telling and family and explores it with nuance and wisdom. While brief, the story packs emotional weight and will resonate with anyone who has grappled with how much truth to share with those we love. A worthy addition to Strayed's body of work.