On the Couch

by Lorraine Bracco

A memoir by the actress best known as psychiatrist Jennifer Melfi on The Sopranos describes what she terms her "ugly duckling" youth, highly publicized divorce from Harvey Keitel, bitter custody battle, bankruptcy, and struggles with depression. Reprint.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir, Biography Memoir, Celebrity

320 pages, Paperback

First published June 6, 2006

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lorraine Bracco's autobiography covers her life up to the Sopranos. A big portion of it deals with her relationship with Harvey Keitel, who comes off here as a gigantic asshole (which I know, we only see her side of this but damn), and the bitter custody battle over their daughter Stella. Some of the things he did were really unconscionable. Not saying that her infidelity was right but Keitel went crazy. Like literally.

I was hoping for more behind the scenes Sopranos stuff, but this is not a memoir of that time of her life, so it makes sense that there wasn't. For me, Dr. Melfi is Bracco's breakout role. (And like her father and many fans, I was definitely one of those yelling at her character to "TELL HIM!" when she was brutally raped, her rapist was released, and Tony asked her if something was wrong. Gosh, that arc was tough. ) I was not hugely aware of her before and don't recall any tabloid stories or anything about her breakup with Keitel and that disaster.

She finishes up the book with a few rules for life, such as not letting someone else's opinion of you determine your self-worth, and making sure you are complete within yourself, not looking for a relationship to complete you. It's all stuff she learned from her own life and tried to pass on to her daughters.

She is very open and honest about her depression and the desperation she lived through before she was offered the role of Dr. Melfi, and she seems to have come to terms with the reasons behind her questionable life decisions and at the time of publication, seemed to be in a good place.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a book I had heard about somewhere and upon hearing a rave review, I knew I had to read it immediately.

I picked it up and tore through it within a few days.

The life story of Lorraine Bracco is very turbulent and the way that she manages to keep her life in check is amazing.

While living through many different decades, both with successful and failed relationships, raising children, and working as an actress, model, writer and business owner, she manages to keep it all together, on the outside.

Inside, Lorraine struggles with depression and anxiety. "On The Couch" allows you to take a glimpse inside how Lorraine kept it all together and managed to become a successful woman even when lovers and family members failed to support her.

She is a strong woman and would be a good role model for anyone who is wiling to read her story.

I highly recommend this book if you think you are going through anything that makes you struggle. Her inspiration will help you see there is light at the end of the tunnel.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Again, I think a matter of disappointed expectations. I was hoping for more of an exploration of Bracco's depression, and how she handled it, and a reinforcement of its validity as a clinical condition. Instead, it was more of a self-inspired biography, taking the reader through the entirety of Bracco's life to date. As a peep at the life of a b-list actor, intriguing, but it didn't had the substance I was expecting.

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a simple, memoir loving gal. This is an easy little memoir. What more must I say?

Can’t believe this is how I found out Adriana dies

[Evett DiBianco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Didn't think I was going to love this book so much. Just thought Lorraine Bracco was going to talk her role on the Soprano's, but it was so much more about her life and her struggles as a mom and wife. The end is so powerful...she makes me want to be a better woman and to make my dreams come true. :)

[Cheryl Schibley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finish the most wonderful book!!! It's "On the Couch" by Lorraine Bracco. I loved it!!! It's honest and enlightening. She was involved with actor Harvey Keitel and Edward James Olmos and has two daughters and she tells it all. She's a strong, wonderful woman we can all learn something from. Harvey Keitel sounds like a real dick though!!!

[Roger Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

direct, forth coming and frank; Lorraine comes across as a valiant woman

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book. Lorraine is so straightforward with the telling of her early years. She seems like the type of person who would make a good friend.
I just saw her on a re-run of Blue Bloods the other day and I thought that I miss seeing her on a show.

[Mars]

honestly, i mostly skimmed this and i skipped all the parts that didn't involve harvey keitel and the sopranos. but what the hell i'll log it! i had read that pro-keitel new york magazine article about their custody battle so i figured i'd hear lorraine bracco's version of it.

[Gato Negro · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this concurrently with her book that detailed liver cleansing and clean eating. I preferred this one. It's helpful to have knowledge of who she is and about her career in order to get through the first one-fourth (or so) of the book and maintain interest.

[Elizabeth Englander · Rating 3 out of 5]

She goes chapter 11 in chapter 10

[Marc Kirner · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the stars from the TV series, "Sopranos". Great book

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent memoir! Lorraine Bracco tells it all in an intelligent, funny and insightful way. There’s a lot in this book that we all can learn from.

[aly · Rating 4 out of 5]

All I can say is thank you Lorraine for opening up and telling us your story. Thank you for being human, owning your story, and being a light for others.

[Silvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never watched the Sopranos, but I fell in love with Lorraine Bracco with this book and her story.

Thank you!

[Cheryl Poole-Musgrove · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished watching The Sopranos for the first time. For a Jersey person that is unacceptable however, I am grateful for the timing as I picked up this book near the last season.

Lorraine Bracco likes to think she was ordinary in high school and later in life but she is more than ordinary, she sparkles, she has charisma! She writes this book about her life, her years as a young person, young adulthood living in France and later marrying Harvey Keitel which turned into the worst custody battle I have read about in a long time. During her journey, I found that Bracco is amazingly honest., funny and able to pick herself up and brush off her pants and get back on the horse, no matter how hard it is. She has depression and uses Dr. Melfi's quotes and teachings from The Sorpranos to apply to each chapter, it is an amazing self discovery of a very talented loving person, mom and actor. I highly recommend this not just to read about celebrity but what makes them real when they are confronted with the odds, as well as debilitation depression. The last part of the book shines, A+ for her efforts in educating people - young people about depression, as well as life coaching in her funny, warm, experienced way.

[Suzan Satterfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a light read and it's like listening to a friend tell you the story of her life. The author, Lorraine Bracco, played Dr. Melfi on the Sopranos, but much of the book is about her life before that point. It's a fascinating life, but she repeats her observations and life's lessons to the point that I began to skim over some parts (yeah, yeah...you said that already). The biggest revelation to me is that Harvey Keitel is really an imbalanced vindictive guy. Too bad, but I guess that shows I'm still fascinated by the crazy ones...

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ran across this book at a WaldenBooks store closing and was a huge fan of The Sopranos so thought I'd check out this book by "Dr. Melfi". It was an enjoyable read. Of course, she's the author so I'd expect her story to be biased, yet if even a portion of the story she tells about her former husband, Harvey Keitel, is true, he's some piece of work!?

Quick read and her big push is for those suffering from depression (as she did for a time) to seek professional help through medication, therapy, or whatever means to improve their situation.

[Sun · Rating 3 out of 5]

Autobiographical account that is strongest when recounting Bracco's relationship with crazed ex-partner Keitel. However, falls down when she tries to offer fluffy, optimisitic advice. A solid, easy weekend read. Interesting that the presence men around her is so dramatic and pervasive whereas Bracco herself is a background character in her own biography.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book; checked it out from the library and liked it so much I bought it. She's had a very interesting life and talks about her battle with depression, her marriages, child custody fight, getting nominated for an Oscar for Good Fellas and playing one of the best TV shrinks, Dr. Melfi, on The Sopranos.

[Joe Bartello · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bracco lays her life bare in this really good biography from her childhood to her latest 'most famous' role in the Sopranos. Broken marriages and custody battles make up a good part of the story and if you are a fan of Harvey Keitel, you might want to give this book a pass. He doesn't come out as much of a star is this profile.

[Carlo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lorraine provides us with an insightful look into her own experience with depression and therapy. You don't need to be a fan to enjoy this book, but it's her celebrity that helps makes her account more human, thus accessible and relatable to the everyday person.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lorraine Bracco, perhaps best known for portraying the psychotherapist on The Sopranos, gives her story of depression and how she came out of it. She has perhaps the best summary I've read simple facts of life and love at the end. "Jealousy is not love. It's control."

[Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very frank & honest "baring-of-the-soul"-type autobiography. I like her even more, after having read it, and I already liked her quite a bit before. If this were more in keeping with my usual fare, I'd probably add a star—or at least 1/2. Recommended, for sure.

[Nikki DiVirgilio · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give it four stars for an easy read and engaging enough to keep me turning pages. But- it was a bit too superficial for my taste and the writing amateur. Isn't there are rule about cliches and exclamation points? If so this one broke them constantly.

[Nancy Iraheta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This woman not only portrayed a psychiatrist on the hit show, "The Sopranos" but was also facing depression in real life!

I LOVE THIS BOOK!!! it's an inspiration!

[Fitzalan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't finish reading this. It was terrible

[Valerie F · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting to see the actress who plays Dr. Melfi, one of the more famous TV-shrinks, talk about her experiences with work, life, relationships, and especially depression.

[Jayms · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed someone talking about depression candidly....I love her.

[Deirdre · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a page turner.