Goodreads Choice Award – Nominee for Best Memoir & Autobiography (2023)
Tell Me Everything by Minka Kelly is a raw and heartbreaking memoir. It’s a story of hope and survival, based on a dysfunctional mother-daughter relationship. It offers a view into the dysfunctional upbringing actress Minka Kelly endured and now struggles to overcome.
My Overview
Over the years, I’d heard very little about actress Minka Kelly’s early life. In a nutshell: stripper mother, absent famous musician father, transient childhood. Nothing, however, prepared me for the heartbreaking and dysfunctional upbringing she endured. In this memoir, Minka shares the story of her life, the lasting damage her upbringing has caused her, and the ways she’s tried to treat and heal from her past.
In a candid and conversational manner, Minka shares about her childhood, her upbringing, the making of her career, and a glimpse into her life today. From her days as a child waiting while her mom worked at a strip club, to being abandoned by her mother … she lays it all out in this book. The majority of the memoir is based on her childhood and teen years, which makes the stories particularly difficult to read. The lasting wounds, damage, and issues from her past are also especially hard to read about. As tragic as Minka’s story is, some standout points are the instances where certain individuals stepped up to help her. From driving her to school, to feeding her, to sharing their home, those individuals are examples of true kindness.
Overall, this is an impactful and inspirational memoir. It’s a tribute to the complicated and dysfunctional relationship between Minka and her mother. I’m glad she’s reached the point where she’s strong enough to write this book. Her grit, positivity, and hopeful spirit shine throughout. In addition, her courage, honesty, and compassion are impressive. Fortunately, by sharing her story Minka’s empowering and inspiring many around the world as well.
My Recommendation
I highly recommend this book. If possible, listen to the audiobook since it’s read by Minka Kelly herself. I don’t think anyone else could’ve narrated this raw and poignant memoir the way she did.
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