Unbound

My Story of Liberation and the Birth of the Me Too Movement

By: Tarana Burke

Narrated by: Tarana Burke

Length: 7 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

"Tarana Burke, I just finished Unbound. Searing. Powerful. Needed!! Thank you." (Oprah)

This program is read by the author.

From the founder and activist behind one of the largest movements of the 20th and 21st centuries, the "me too" movement, Tarana Burke debuts a powerful memoir about her own journey to saying those two simple yet infinitely powerful words - me too - and how she brought empathy back to an entire generation in one of the largest cultural events in American history.

Tarana didn’t always have the courage to say "me too". As a child, she reeled from her sexual assault, believing she was responsible. Unable to confess what she thought of as her own sins for fear of shattering her family, her soul split in two. One side was the bright, intellectually curious third generation Bronxite steeped in Black literature and power, and the other was the bad, shame-ridden girl who thought of herself as a vile rule breaker, not of a victim. She tucked one away, hidden behind a wall of pain and anger, which seemed to work...until it didn’t.

Tarana fought to reunite her fractured soul, through organizing, pursuing justice, and finding community. In her debut memoir, she shares her extensive work supporting and empowering Black and Brown girls, and the devastating realization that to truly help these girls she needed to help that scared, ashamed child still in her soul. She needed to stop running and confront what had happened to her, for Heaven and Diamond and the countless other young Black women for whom she cared. They gave her the courage to embrace her power. A power which in turn she shared with the entire world. Through these young Black and Brown women, Tarana found that we can only offer empathy to others if we first offer it to ourselves.

Unbound is the story of an inimitable woman’s inner strength and perseverance, all in pursuit of bringing healing to her community and the world around her, but it is also a story of possibility, of empathy, of power, and of the leader we all have inside ourselves. In sharing her path toward healing and saying "me too", Tarana reaches out a hand to help us all on our own journeys.

A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books

“Sometimes a single story can change the world. Unbound is one of those stories. Tarana’s words are a testimony to liberation and love.” (Brené Brown)

"Burke's Unbound is worthy of being considered next to I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings as one of those rare books that will unfold and welcome parts of us we thought we'd completely hid until the earth is gone. Unbound is the one we readers and writers have been waiting for." (Kiese Laymon, author of Heavy)

"Tarana Burke is the most important voice of our generation and Unbound is an offering that will set free hearts, families, and communities. I will never stop being grateful for Tarana Burke’s wisdom and courage - and I will never stop thinking about this book." (Glennon Doyle, number one New York Times best-selling author of Untamed)

©2021 Tarana Burke (P)2021 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

2021, Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the Year

Resilient

This is a must read! We were taken on a journey of strength and perseverance in all phases of Tarana's life. I love the author's storytelling style, I felt like I knew her, being from the Bronx, I understood all parts of what she experienced. I'm glad to see that everyone finally gets to see the positive impact that she has been doing so silently, yet spoke volumes.

Gripping, gut wrenching and necessary!

what a gift to hear Tarana tell her amazing and beautiful story. evidence that despite suffering, there is still love and joy and that we Black women aren't only the burdens that we've experienced! We are more! Thank you for sharing your incredible journey sis!

#metoo

Mdm Burke,

you are awesome! this book spoke volumes and I hope Heaven finds you again

this book is a testimony and one sorely needed

Tarana Burke's work and writing are revelatory and deserve praise and attention. Black and Brown girls deserve our care and protection!

Powerful

A truly beautiful authentic and healing experience! She lays herself bare so we all who see themselves reflected may thrive. Radical and a must read!

Compelling

I listened to this book in 2 days. Each chapter had a great story, some were sad, some were funny and some made me feel fury. This women right here is the truth.

I saw own story in her writing

The book Unbound made me feel seen. I recommend it for women everywhere. Especially Black women who haven't seen themselves in other books that address sexual violence.

Wake Up People

I highly recommend this book to ALL women and men. You may identify with the reading or you may have your eyes opened. I can say I’m awake.
The best storyteller.

Deeply moving

This book encapsulates so many undeniably important topics that shake the soul. You learn the desperation truth has to live outside of your body and the courage it takes to get there. Overall an incredibly powerful book!

Worth the read

A very heart wrenching and powerful story. Great perspective. I can’t imagine the amount of courage it must have taken to tell this story.