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Jesse, A Mother's Story (2011)

by Marianne Leone(Favorite Author)

4.28 of 5 Votes: 1

languge

English

genre

Memoir & Autobiography

publisher

Simon & Schuster

review 1: Recommended by Melissa McEwan at Shakesville. I was interested partially because of my connection with people with serious disabilities, including someone in my family, and partially because I'm a big fan of Jesse's dad, the actor Chris Cooper. And having read this book, I'm now a big admirer of his mom, the author. I certainly related to her stories of frustration with medical professionals, school professionals, and general ignorant people in the world. Her stories and descriptions and emotional responses will be familiar to anyone with a disability or anyone who loves someone with a disability. The power of her story lies in her care to portray her son as a full person--no stereotypical "he was an angel/genius/perfect/supercrip" here. She loved her son and saw amazing t... morehings in him that many others didn't, but she didn't pretend he wasn't truly human as well. He was clearly an amazing kid with amazing parents. Leone has written a powerful story without falling into cliches. Bravo.
review 2: Marianne Leone's son, Jesse, is born early and has a brain bleed that results in cerebral palsy. She tells her story through stories--little glimpses into her life as the mother of a severely disabled child, the struggles, the lessons, etc. The book is sprinkled with photos and Jesse's poetry, which makes the book and the stories even more real. It does not, however, EVER read as a pity party. I was nervous when I started this book, assuming I'd spend my time reading it bawling. But I didn't cry once....she's actually pretty funny. I like this woman a lot. less

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