Reviews
eoeThis book will break your heart. This book will make you angry. It will make you laugh and cry and cheer. But mostly, this book will lift you up.e e"Ann Hood, author of Comfort and The Knitting Circle, "So full of life and love and rage and grace it will fill the room where you read it . . . Sorrow and joy are found in the same breath, but grace abounds and justice triumphs." -Abigail Thomas, author of A Three Dog Life, "I was stunned. Stunned and moved to tears. This book is about unwavering courage, unbounded love, and perseverance in the face of adversity. It grabs you by the lapels and takes you on a wondrous, inspiring journey. I couldn't put it down and I now carry Jesse's journey in my heart." --William H. Macy, "I was stunned. Stunned and moved to tears. This book is about unwavering courage, unbounded love, and perseverance in the face of adversity. It grabs you by the lapels and takes you on a wondrous, inspiring journey. I couldn't put it down and I now carry Jesse's journey in my heart." --William H. Macy, "A mother's passion-filled memoir of her fight to give her disabled son the life he deserved. . . . Love for her son and rage at those who did not see him as worthwhile permeate the narrative, which surprises with its humor and frankness. . . . Leone's character sketches are deft and humorous, and included throughout are selections of Jesse's poetry and photographs of the boy with family and friends, attesting to a life that, though short and often painful, was filled with accomplishment, love and joy. Heartwarming." - Kirkus Reviews, eoeA mothere(tm)s passion-filled memoir of her fight to give her disabled son the life he deserved. . . . Love for her son and rage at those who did not see him as worthwhile permeate the narrative, which surprises with its humor and frankness. . . . Leonee(tm)s character sketches are deft and humorous, and included throughout are selections of Jessee(tm)s poetry and photographs of the boy with family and friends, attesting to a life that, though short and often painful, was filled with accomplishment, love and joy. Heartwarming.e e" Kirkus Reviews, "In prose so full of life and love and rage and grace it will fill the room where you read it, Marianne Leone tells the story of her son, Jesse. Sorrow and joy are found in the same breath, but grace abounds and justice triumphs."Abigail Thomas, author ofA Three Dog Life, eoeI was stunned. Stunned and moved to tears. This book is about unwavering courage, unbounded love, and perseverance in the face of adversity. It grabs you by the lapels and takes you on a wondrous, inspiring journey. I couldne(tm)t put it down and I now carry Jessee(tm)s journey in my heart.e e"William H. Macy, eoe Knowing Jesse is an important book for any parent to read. The Cooperse(tm) story forces us to face the hard question of whose responsibility it is to speak for children who cannot speak for themselves.e e"Richard Russo, author of That Old Cape Magic, " Knowing Jesse 's title mentions grief and grace and everyday bliss. Yes, those elements are included. But that's a fraction of the fun. Yeah-that's right. I said fun . As in funny . This book made me laugh and cry and then laugh again until I was crying with laughter. . . . This kid's journey is one of a kind and so is this book. Do yourself a favor: buy it, read it, and when you are done-read it again." -Denis Leary, author of Why We Suck and co-creator of Rescue Me, "Like a master tightrope walker, Marianne Leone avoids any fall here into understandable sentimentality or self-pity. Instead, she has stepped nakedly into the larger human truths of her own story and given us back a life-sustaining feast.Knowing Jessegoes beyond a living portrait of this remarkable boy and his family; it explores the unbreakable blood ties between parents and children, that chosen thread between husbands and wives, and that sometimes hazardous web of other people called bureaucracy. At the heart of all this is a Sufi aphorism that speaks agelessly to the true nature of loss itself, that it has an afterlife where spirit lies. With humor, guts, and grace,Knowing Jessewill carry you compellingly to yours!"Andre Dubus III, author ofHouse of Sand and Fog, " Jesse is an incandescent memoir, glowing with a mother's love." -Tom Perrotta, author of Little Children, "An uplifting but never saccharine account of three brave people fighting for their humanity . . . A fine and moving book." -Steve Oney, Los Angeles Times, "A mother's passion-filled memoir of her fight to give her disabled son the life he deserved. . . . Love for her son and rage at those who did not see him as worthwhile permeate the narrative, which surprises with its humor and frankness. . . . Leone's character sketches are deft and humorous, and included throughout are selections of Jesse's poetry and photographs of the boy with family and friends, attesting to a life that, though short and often painful, was filled with accomplishment, love and joy. Heartwarming."Kirkus Reviews, " Knowing Jesse is an important book for any parent to read. The Coopers' story forces us to face the hard question of whose responsibility it is to speak for children who cannot speak for themselves." -Richard Russo, author of That Old Cape Magic, "I was stunned. Stunned and moved to tears. This book is about unwavering courage, unbounded love, and perseverance in the face of adversity.' It grabs you by the lapels and takes you on a wondrous, inspiring journey.' I couldn't put it down and I now carry Jesse's journey in my heart."-William H. Macy, eoe Knowing Jesse 's title mentions grief and grace and everyday bliss.Yes, those elements are included.But thate(tm)s a fraction of the fun. Yeahe"that's right.I said fun .As in funny .This book made me laugh and cry and then laugh again until I was crying with laughter. . . . This kide(tm)s journey is one of a kind and so is this book. Do yourself a favor:buy it, read it, and when you are donee"read it again.e e"Denis Leary, author of Why We Suck and co-creator of Rescue Me, eoe Knowing Jesse is an incandescent memoir, glowing with a mothere(tm)s love for her disabled son and fueled by her righteous anger. With fierce honesty and unexpected humor, Marianne Leone illuminates the challenges of Jessee(tm)s life, the courage with which he faced them, and the joy he brought those lucky enough to know him.e e"Tom Perrotta, author of The Abstinence Teacher and Little Children, "Knowing Jesse's title mentions grief and grace and everyday bliss. Yes, those elements are included. But that's a fraction of the fun. Yeahthat's right. I saidfun. As infunny. This book made me laugh and cry and then laugh again until I was crying with laughter. . . . This kid's journey is one of a kind and so is this book. Do yourself a favor: buy it, read it, and when you are doneread it again."Denis Leary, author ofWhy We Suckand co-creator ofRescue Me, " Knowing Jesse is an incandescent memoir, glowing with a mother's love for her disabled son and fueled by her righteous anger. With fierce honesty and unexpected humor, Marianne Leone illuminates the challenges of Jesse's life, the courage with which he faced them, and the joy he brought those lucky enough to know him." --Tom Perrotta, author of The Abstinence Teacher and Little Children, "This book will break your heart. This book will make you angry. It will make you laugh and cry and cheer. But mostly, this book will lift you up."Ann Hood, author ofComfortandThe Knitting Circle, "Like a master tightrope walker, Marianne Leone avoids any fall here into understandable sentimentality or self-pity. Instead, she has stepped nakedly into the larger human truths of her own story and given us back a life-sustaining feast. Knowing Jesse goes beyond a living portrait of this remarkable boy and his family; it explores the unbreakable blood ties between parents and children, that chosen thread between husbands and wives, and that sometimes hazardous web of other people called bureaucracy. At the heart of all this is a Sufi aphorism that speaks agelessly to the true nature of loss itself, that it has an afterlife where spirit lies. With humor, guts, and grace, Knowing Jesse will carry you compellingly to yours!" -Andre Dubus III, author of House of Sand and Fog, "A mother's passion-filled memoir of her fight to give her disabled son the life he deserved. . . . Love for her son and rage at those who did not see him as worthwhile permeate the narrative, which surprises with its humor and frankness. . . . Leone's character sketches are deft and humorous, and included throughout are selections of Jesse's poetry and photographs of the boy with family and friends, attesting to a life that, though short and often painful, was filled with accomplishment, love and joy. Heartwarming." -- Kirkus Reviews, " Knowing Jesse is an important book for any parent to read. The Coopers' story forces us to face the hard question of whose responsibility it is to speak for children who cannot speak for themselves." --Richard Russo, author of That Old Cape Magic, eoeLike a master tightrope walker, Marianne Leone avoids any fall here into understandable sentimentality or self-pity. Instead, she has stepped nakedly into the larger human truths of her own story and given us back a life-sustaining feast. Knowing Jesse goes beyond a living portrait of this remarkable boy and his family; it explores the unbreakable blood ties between parents and children, that chosen thread between husbands and wives, and that sometimes hazardous web of other people called bureaucracy. At the heart of all this is a Sufi aphorism that speaks agelessly to the true nature of loss itself, that it has an afterlife where spirit lies. With humor, guts, and grace, Knowing Jesse will carry you compellingly to yours!e e"Andre Dubus III, author of House of Sand and Fog, eoeIn prose so full of life and love and rage and grace it will fill the room where you read it, Marianne Leone tells the story of her son, Jesse. Sorrow and joy are found in the same breath, but grace abounds and justice triumphs.e e"Abigail Thomas, author of A Three Dog Life, " Knowing Jesse 's title mentions grief and grace and everyday bliss. Yes, those elements are included. But that's a fraction of the fun. Yeah-that's right. I said fun . As in funny . This book made me laugh and cry and then laugh again until I was crying with laughter. . . . This kid's journey is one of a kind and so is this book. Do yourself a favor: buy it, read it, and when you are done-read it again." -Denis Leary, author of Why We Suck and co-creator of Rescue Me, "Knowing Jesseis an important book for any parent to read. The Coopers' story forces us to face the hard question of whose responsibility it is to speak for children who cannot speak for themselves."Richard Russo, author ofThat Old Cape Magic, "In prose so full of life and love and rage and grace it will fill the room where you read it, Marianne Leone tells the story of her son, Jesse. Sorrow and joy are found in the same breath, but grace abounds and justice triumphs." -Abigail Thomas, author of A Three Dog Life, " Knowing Jesse 's title mentions grief and grace and everyday bliss. Yes, those elements are included. But that's a fraction of the fun. Yeah--that's right. I said fun . As in funny . This book made me laugh and cry and then laugh again until I was crying with laughter. . . . This kid's journey is one of a kind and so is this book. Do yourself a favor: buy it, read it, and when you are done--read it again." --Denis Leary, author of Why We Suck and co-creator of Rescue Me, "I was stunned. Stunned and moved to tears. This book is about unwavering courage, unbounded love, and perseverance in the face of adversity. It grabs you by the lapels and takes you on a wondrous, inspiring journey. I couldn't put it down and I now carry Jesse's journey in my heart." -William H. Macy, " Knowing Jesse 's title mentions grief and grace and everyday bliss. Yes, those elements are included. But that's a fraction of the fun. Yeah--that's right. I said fun . As in funny . This book made me laugh and cry and then laugh again until I was crying with laughter. . . . This kid's journey is one of a kind and so is this book. Do yourself a favor: buy it, read it, and when you are done--read it again." --Denis Leary, author of Why We Suck and co-creator of Rescue Me, "This book will break your heart. This book will make you angry. It will make you laugh and cry and cheer. But mostly, this book will lift you up." -Ann Hood, author of Comfort and The Knitting Circle, "In prose so full of life and love and rage and grace it will fill the room where you read it, Marianne Leone tells the story of her son, Jesse. Sorrow and joy are found in the same breath, but grace abounds and justice triumphs." --Abigail Thomas, author of A Three Dog Life, "This book made me laugh and cry and then laugh again until I was crying with laughter. . . . This kid's journey is one of a kind and so is this book." -Denis Leary, co-creator of Rescue Me, "Like a master tightrope walker, Marianne Leone avoids any fall here into understandable sentimentality or self-pity. Instead, she has stepped nakedly into the larger human truths of her own story and given us back a life-sustaining feast. Knowing Jesse goes beyond a living portrait of this remarkable boy and his family; it explores the unbreakable blood ties between parents and children, that chosen thread between husbands and wives, and that sometimes hazardous web of other people called bureaucracy. At the heart of all this is a Sufi aphorism that speaks agelessly to the true nature of loss itself, that it has an afterlife where spirit lies. With humor, guts, and grace, Knowing Jesse will carry you compellingly to yours!" --Andre Dubus III, author of House of Sand and Fog, " Knowing Jesse is an incandescent memoir, glowing with a mother's love for her disabled son and fueled by her righteous anger. With fierce honesty and unexpected humor, Marianne Leone illuminates the challenges of Jesse's life, the courage with which he faced them, and the joy he brought those lucky enough to know him." -Tom Perrotta, author of The Abstinence Teacher and Little Children, "This book will break your heart. This book will make you angry. It will make you laugh and cry and cheer. But mostly, this book will lift you up." --Ann Hood, author of Comfort and The Knitting Circle, "Knowing Jesseis an incandescent memoir, glowing with a mother's love for her disabled son and fueled by her righteous anger. With fierce honesty and unexpected humor, Marianne Leone illuminates the challenges of Jesse's life, the courage with which he faced them, and the joy he brought those lucky enough to know him."Tom Perrotta, author ofThe Abstinence TeacherandLittle Children
