Jesse

by Marianne Leone

Jesse tells the story of a disabled boy as written by his mother.

Unknown Binding

About the author

Marianne Leone is an actress, screenwriter and essayist. She had a recurring role on HBO's "Sopranos" as Joanne Moltisanti, Christopher's (Michael Imperioli's) mother. She has also appeared in films by John Sayles, Nancy Savoca and Martin Scorsese. Her essays and op ed pieces on a variety of topics have appeared in the Boston Globe. She is married to Chris Cooper, an academy-award winning actor and was Jesse Cooper's mother for seventeen years. After his death in 2005, her essay on grief was published in the Boston Globe ("He Was Our Touchstone".) Her memoir grew out of that essay.

A Foundation has been set up in Jesse's name, which supports inclusion and adapted sports for disabled people through the Federation for Children with Special Needs and AccesSportAmerica. The foundation also supports disabled orphans in Rumania through the Rumanian Children's Relief Fund.

Marianne lives on a tidal river in the South Shore of Massachusetts with her husband and two rescue dogs, Lucky and Frenchy.

Reviews

[Virginia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Che molti vedessero soltanto la sua disabilità aggiungeva un'altra dimensione al dolore, una patina surreale alla solitudine che mi attendeva. Erano gli stessi che pensavano "È stato meglio così". Oppure: "Ora è libero, e lo sei anche tu". Ma io sarei stata disposta a sostenere il suo corpo minuto fino a non poterne più, e poi ancora, nella debolezza della vecchiaia.

[Noelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt compelled to write a review for Jesse: A Mother’s Story. Beautifully written by Marianne Leone, she tells the heartbreaking and triumphant story of her son, Jesse, who was born a quadriplegic and non-verbal. Marianne walks readers through the struggles and challenges she and her husband, actor Chris Cooper, endured raising their son. Along the way, Marianne is blessed with several women who came into their lives and helped care for their son. Their care became especially important when Jesse was school age. Marianne lays bare the soul crushing treatment she and other mothers of children with disabilities experienced with their town’s school system. One administrator made the disgusting remark, “why should we waste money on these kids? They don’t give anything back to society?” As a reader, I was shocked by the prejudicial headwinds parents experience who want nothing more than to give their children an education. In Jesse’s case, the joke was on them. Jesse was a brilliant, honor-roll student who was able to excel using a specialized computer. He also wrote incredible poetry. Marianne shares many personal and sometimes funny stories about Jesse, who had many friends at school. When his friend Adam’s mother asked him why he became Jesse’s friend - a classmate who was in a wheelchair and non-verbal - Adam replied, “But Jesse can talk, people just don’t listen.” This memoir will break your heart but will also bring cheers for Marianne, a fierce mother who moves mountains to protect her son. She teaches us that the true meaning of the word “impossible,” is I’M possible. This book is for anyone who has faced a challenge head on and refused to give up. Simply brilliant!

[Polly R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve had the honor to meet Marianne and Chris. Speechless! This is such an inspiration. The devotion and love these parents have for their child is so unconditional and beautiful even thou there were many times it may not have been so peaceful but they always made it be. Such a good read.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was honest, funny, and poignant. It is a memoir of a severely disabled boy, as written by his mother. His parents are just regular people, who also happen to be celebrities. We follow their struggle as they learn how to care for and raise their son, and as they fight for an adequate education for their son. We also follow their pain when Jesse dies suddenly at 17. Any parent can relate to this story, but especially anyone with a special needs child or anyone who has lost a child.

[Melanie Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that broke my heart and filled it. Marianne Leone portrays the beautiful life of her son Jesse and the grief of losing him in this deeply tender memoir.