Tell Me More by Kelly Corrigan Summary

Tell Me More explores 12 essential phrases that strengthen relationships, blending personal stories with insights on navigating life’s challenges. Kelly Corrigan reflects on grief, parenting, and communication through essays like “I Don’t Know,” “No,” and “Tell Me More,” emphasizing vulnerability and empathy. Her candid anecdotes—like managing teen drama or reconciling family conflicts—highlight how these phrases foster connection.

This book suits readers seeking heartfelt guidance on communication, parenthood, or grief. Fans of memoirs like Corrigan’s The Middle Place will appreciate her signature mix of humor and introspection. It’s ideal for those navigating complex relationships or seeking actionable advice on phrases like “I Was Wrong” to improve personal and familial bonds.

Key lessons include embracing uncertainty (“I Don’t Know”), setting boundaries (“No”), and active listening (“Tell Me More”). Corrigan illustrates these through personal struggles, like grieving her father’s death or mediating her daughters’ conflicts. The book underscores how these phrases can defuse tension, validate emotions, and deepen relationships.

Unlike Corrigan’s earlier memoirs focused on cancer survival (The Middle Place) or motherhood (Glitter and Glue), Tell Me More structures itself around actionable communication tools. However, it retains her trademark vulnerability and relatable storytelling, weaving family anecdotes with universal themes of love and loss.

“Tell Me More” represents active listening as a cornerstone of empathy. Corrigan learns this from a facialist named Tish, who advises her to prioritize understanding over problem-solving. The phrase becomes a mantra for navigating her daughters’ conflicts and fostering deeper conversations.

Yes. Corrigan poignantly recounts her father’s death from cancer and the grief that followed, framing acceptance with the phrase “It’s just like this.” She also reflects on losing a close friend, illustrating how grief intertwines with daily life and relationships.

Some reviewers note the essays vary in depth, with lighter anecdotes (like dog-related mishaps) contrasting sharply with heavy themes like infertility and mortality. However, most praise Corrigan’s authenticity and ability to balance humor with emotional resonance.

Corrigan lightens tough topics with self-deprecating wit, like recounting a meltdown over an unflushed toilet or her husband’s bacon ritual. These moments humanize her struggles, making the book’s lessons more relatable.

Notable quotes include:

• “It’s just like this”: Accepting life’s uncontrollable hardships.
• “Tell me more”: Prioritizing listening over fixing.
• “I was wrong”: Emphasizing accountability beyond apologies.

Yes. Corrigan shares strategies like validating teens’ emotions (e.g., saying “Tell me more” to her daughter Georgia) and setting boundaries (“No”). Her candid stories about marital tensions and parenting missteps offer relatable solutions for fostering family resilience.

Absolutely. The book draws from Corrigan’s life: her father’s death, raising teenage daughters, and friendships. Essays like “I Was Wrong” recount a family feud, while “No” reflects on her mother’s boundary-setting—blending memoir with actionable insights.

In an era of polarized communication, the book’s focus on phrases like “I Don’t Know” and “Tell Me More” offers tools for bridging divides. Its lessons on humility, active listening, and emotional honesty resonate for personal and professional relationships alike.