Simple Jess [Paperback]

Pamela Morsi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1996

Given an ultimatum by her interfering neighbors--to find a husband by Christmas or have one selected for her--reluctant widow Althea Winsloe searches for a possible mate and finds herself drawn to Simple Jess, a sweet and gentle man of less-than-average intelligence.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Morsi (Marrying Stone) returns to Marrying Stone, Ark., 1906, for this pleasant hearth-and-home romance. Althea Winsloe is a young widow with a son named Baby-Paisley and a farm with the finest corn bottom on the mountain. Just like the best Jane Austen society, the Ozark community thinks that Althea is in need of a husband. But instead of Regency balls, Morsi's courting is conducted at hog slaughters (described in non-gory detail) and mountain socials. Althea is given until Christmas to pick herself a man, and to everyone's surprise, except the reader's, she chooses Simple Jess, a combination of Forrest Gump, Mr. Universe and a really great golden retriever. Jess Best may not be a smart man, but he sure knows what love is-and sex. Morsi is clever enough to incorporate mountain vocabulary and customs without a lot of twangy dialect.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Jove (April 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0515118370
• ISBN-13: 978-0515118377
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #755,990 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ONE OF THE BEST STORIES I HAVE EVER READ, November 22, 2003

By 

M. Hartmann "abayyan" (Milan, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Simple Jess (Paperback)

P. Morsi does not pander to the sex starved reading public.
Like any normal man, Jesse is interested in sex. But he is resigned to being simple. It is just his way. He is a most wonderful character to be a loving hero.

Althea is bound and determined to save her farm for Baby-Paisley [I couldn't understand her marrying Paisley in the first place]and not turn it over to another man.
Her mother-in-law turns out to be quite a driven character.

I loved the way simple Jesse worked his way into Baby-Paisley and Althea's heart and was a little afraid when Oather suddenly commented on how beautiful was Jesse. Whoaee!

The supporting characters make up a great community and I loved Pastor Jay who was heard talking to the Angels.

I am more into the western frontier and military romances but THE MARRYING STONE and SIMPLE JESS was so very refreshing and fascinating that I am so glad to have added them to my library.

These stories are so much more real and earthy than the bed-hoping contemporaries being spun today.

I hope M. Morsi continues to spin these wonderful, refreshing tales, as these were a treat to read.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED -- great addition to most libraries.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Love Story... plain and simple, June 15, 2003

By 

Amy A Adams (Manassas, Va United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Simple Jess (Paperback)

In all senses of the word, this is a love story. Not a romance. The novel features a young widow who is forced by the community she lives in to pick a new husband. She's being courted by two handsome, elligible bachelors, neither of whom she's interested in. Her attention is instead drawn to her hired hand, Jesse Best, who is known locally as "Simple Jess" because of a brain injury as a result of his birth. In a community where he isn't treated as an equal, Jesse finds himself being viewed as a partner, by a beautiful woman who has seen past his shortcomings, and into his heart.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best remembered romance I've ever read, November 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Simple Jess (Paperback)

I've read a lot of romances and over time have come to really appreciate a well-written, non-standard story. I feel that Simple Jess is just that. One of the scenes I vividly recall is when Simple Jess is skinning a deer and patiently explaining every action to Baby Paisley just as his father did for him. You get a real sense of what is important in life. In my mind's eye, I could just see the love and patience being carried on through the generations and even though Jess wasn't "normal", he was still able to be the kind of person that they needed him to be.

On a lighter note, I love how Pamela Morsi makes her characters individuals that you wouldn't find anywhere else. For instance, whenever I picture Simple Jess, I see him drifting from one group of women to another, smelling them. I love it! It makes perfect sense with his personality.

Though this book can stand alone, I think The Marrying Stone should be read first to just to provide a greater understanding of the community and personalities.