Resilience

Two Sisters and a Story of Mental Illness

By: Jessie Close, Pete Earley

Narrated by: Jessie Close, Glenn Close

At a young age, Jessie Close struggled with symptoms that would transform into severe bipolar disorder in her early twenties, but she was not properly diagnosed until the age of fifty. Jessie and her three siblings, including actress Glenn Close, spent many years in the Moral Re-Armament cult. Jessie passed her childhood in New York, Switzerland, Connecticut, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo), and finally Los Angeles, where her life quickly became unmanageable. She was just fifteen years old.

Jessie's emerging mental illness led her into a life of addictions, five failed marriages, and to the brink of suicide. She fought to raise her children despite her ever worsening mental conditions and under the strain of damaged romantic relationships. Her sister Glenn and certain members of their family tried to be supportive throughout the ups and downs, and Glenn's vignettes in Resilience provide an alternate perspective on Jessie's life as it began to spiral out of control. Jessie was devastated to discover that mental illness was passed on to her son Calen, but getting him help at long last helped Jessie to heal as well. Eleven years later, Jessie is a productive member of society and a supportive daughter, mother, sister, and grandmother.

In Resilience, Jessie dives into the dark and dangerous shadows of mental illness without shying away from its horror and turmoil. With New York Times bestselling author and Pulitzer Prize finalist Pete Earley, she tells of finally discovering the treatment she needs and, with the encouragement of her sister and others, the emotional fortitude to bring herself back from the edge.

must read

everyone needs to read this book!
the story will resonate with every person who has or been witness to mental illness. which is us all ... whether you know it or not

Jeffrey Hancock Shonert College of William and Mary 1972

You must read Jesse’s brilliant story. I could not put it down.You will cry deep tears of joy as you watch a wounded little Yankee girl turn into a maternal goddess of goodwill and healing . As you listen to her beautiful speaking voice, this will change your life, as it has mine. You will never view mental illness with anything but compassion again. A Thrilling read.

Great personal account of the illness

What made the experience of listening to Resilience the most enjoyable?

The witty and genuine voice of the author pulls the reader in and resonates with honesty.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Resilience?

How the author's acceptance of the illness unfolds in the succint storytelling.

Amazing story with great insight

Would you consider the audio edition of Resilience to be better than the print version?

I love audio and being read to.

What other book might you compare Resilience to and why?

Still Alice. Because it takes you inside the disease with such humanity and intelligence.

Which character – as performed by Jessie Close – was your favorite?

Jessie

Any additional comments?

Her character development made the story so personal, so real and so horrifying. The fact that she survived is a miracle.

Resilience, Reliance and Family

This book is informative and enlightening. As a medical professional, and a person who has mental heath issues in my family, I found the authors candor helpful in understanding the dynamics in my own family.

Excellent writing and truthfully shared.

Thank you.