In conversation with Chris Cooper and Marianne Leone. 

A visceral and deeply personal memoir about losing a child, by the Amazon Prime series Catastrophe and Deadpool star Rob Delaney, in conversation with actors Chris Cooper and Marianne Leone, who lost their son, Jesse.

In 2018, Rob Delaney’s two-year-old son, Henry, died of a brain tumor. A Heart That Works is Delaney’s intimate, unflinching, and at times fiercely funny exploration of Henry’s beautiful, bright life and the devastation of his loss – from the harrowing illness to the vivid, bodily impact of grief and the blind, furious rage that followed through to the forceful, unstoppable love that remains. In the madness of his grief, Delaney grapples with the fragile miracle of life, the mysteries of death, and the question of purpose for those left behind. Profound, painful, full of emotion, and bracingly honest, Delaney’s memoir offers solace to those who have faced devastation and shows us how grace may appear even in the darkest times.

Rob Delaney is a comedian, actor, and writer. He is widely known as the award-winning co-creator and co-star of the critically acclaimed Amazon Prime comedy Catastrophe. He is the author of a memoir Rob Delaney: Mother. Wife. Sister. Human. Warrior. Falcon. Yardstick. Turban. Cabbage.

Chris Cooper was recognized in 2003 with an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of John Laroche in Adaptation. Other notable films include American Beauty, Seabiscuit, Breach, The Bourne Identity, Lone Star, and August: Osage County.

Marianne Leone is an actress, screenwriter, and essayist. Her essays have appeared in the Boston Globe, Lithub, Ploughshares, and others. She is the author of two memoirs, Jesse and Ma Speaks Up. She had a recurring role on HBO’s The Sopranos as Joanne Moltisanti, Christopher’s mother.