I'm Not Broken

A Memoir

De: Jesse Leon

Narrado por: Jesse Leon

2023 Lambda Literary Award, Short-listed

In this unflinching and inspiring memoir, Jesse Leon tells an extraordinary story of resilience and survival, shining a light on a childhood spent devastated by sex trafficking, street life, and substance abuse.

"A book for survivors and those who know someone they hope survives, bodhisattvas all." —Sandra Cisneros, bestselling author of The House on Mango Street

Born to indigenous working-class Mexican immigrants in San Diego in the 1970s, Jesse Leon’s childhood was violently ruptured. A dangerous and harrowing encounter at a local gift shop when he was eleven years old left Jesse with a deadly secret. Hurt, alone, and scared for his life, Jesse numbed his pain by losing himself in the hyper-masculine culture of the streets and wherever else he could find it—in alcohol, drugs, and prostitution. Overlooked by state-sanctioned institutions and systems intended to help victims of abuse, neglected like many other low-income Latinos, Jesse spiraled into cycles of suicide and substance abuse.

I’m Not Broken is the heartbreaking and remarkable story of the journey Jesse takes to win back his life, leading him to the steps of Harvard University. From being the lone young person of color in Narcotics Anonymous meetings to coming to terms with his own sexual identity, to becoming an engaged mentor for incarcerated youth, Jesse finds the will to live with the love and support of his family, friends, and mentors. Recounting the extraordinary circumstances of his life, Jesse offers a powerful, raw testament to the possibilities of self-transformation and self-acceptance. Unforgettable, I’m Not Broken is an inspirational portrait of one young man’s indomitable strength and spirit to survive—against all possible odds.

©2022 Jesse Leon (P)2022 Random House Audio

Inspirational

This book has opened my eyes. It was heart wrenching and at the same time very inspirational. Thank you Jesse for your honesty and candidness.

Amazing

I truly enjoyed the book, Jesse. Thank you for sharing your story - the struggles and the successes. I know it will inspire!

NPR was right

NPR had I’m not broken on their 2022 book list. They are right inspirational and heartfelt

Phenomenal!

All I can say is WOW! To hear his story! Wow! All I can say is he is a TRUE survivor! I’m thoroughly proud of his courage to keep pushing through as most would have quit. Thank you for your testimony! It needed to be shared.

Devastating, Raw, Inspirational, and Beautiful

I was told I would cry, and it was true. I couldn’t get past the introduction without feeling my eyes fill with tears.
Jesse takes us back to San Diego, “America’s Finest City”, back in the 80s and early 90s. He exposes the ugly underbelly of drugs and prostitution that the tourists and those living in the “nice” neighborhoods didn’t see. He brings us into his world to show us what it was like growing up as a Mexican-American in a poor neighborhood: the lack of resources, gang violence, and drugs. But also in that same neighborhood we find camaraderie, family, and a community that is rich in giving and helping one another. Jesse shows us the struggle of questioning one’s sexuality in the 80s with a machista father. He doesn’t hold back how his innocence is brutally stripped from him by a sex predator who forces the young sweet boy into a world of drugs and sex trafficking.
Jesse Leon’s story will punch you in the gut, make you cry, and mourn for all he lost. But you will also laugh, rejoice, and feel inspired by his strength, resilience, and love.

Truly inspiring

Loved that the book is narrated by the author and the way this book developed. A truly inspiring story with many ups and downs illustrating the power of culture, education, family and community.

I loved how real this was

I would listen to this read over an over if I could so much props to you for the realism of this novel! Amazing!

Extraordinary heart wrenching story that inspires hope

I could not put the book down! I'm so glad I was able to listen to the audio version because hearing the story told through the authors own voice, made it even more powerful! It is at times heart wrenching and evokes every emotion from anger to rage to hope and love! I highly recommend i'm not broken!

If you can bear the pain…

you can receive the incredible joy in this story. Jesse Leon narrates the story of his life from childhood in the barrio to grad school at Harvard, sharing with intense detail his struggles and self-reliance and then reliance on family, friends, lovers, and virtual strangers who made sure he could see beauty and believe in himself.

A Powerful Hero’s Journey

I had the pleasure of meeting Jesse Leon at the San Diego Writers Festival. I learned about his background and have just finished his book. This was a powerful and moving listen especially from the author’s own voice that evoked every emotion from shock, sadness, anger and ultimately to elation at the triumph of this hero’s journey. I hope this book is turned into a movie!