New York Times Notable Book of 2001, an NPR Fresh Air Best Book of 2001, a Los Angeles Times Best Book of 2001, Ohioana Book Award 2003, national best seller
“The story of an ordinary family dragged by fatal imperfection into a world of crushing disappointment, failure, and ultimately, violence.” —Erik Larson, author of Devil in the White City.
“A compelling narrative, yes. But, more important, you’ll never again take for granted the simple joys of everyday life, that most fragile state of normality and grace. It’s one of those all-too-rare books that haunt the soul long after the last paragraph is read.” Facing the Wind “…elevates itself out of the true crime genre into literature.” —USA Today
“Facing the Wind raises profound questions: of guilt, retribution, justice, redemption and absolution. There are no easy answers. It is not a book that can be read and forgotten.” —The New York Times Book Review
“[Julie Salamon’s] book is important not only for its lessons on the ravages of mental illness but for its ability to overturn our assumptions about evil, innocence, guilt and compassion.” —The Wall Street Journal
“What is right? What is good? What is fair? I can’t remember when I last read a book that tackled these questions as unflinchingly as Facing the Wind. It moved me, astonished me, gave me nightmares, made me hug my children, and, long after I had (tremblingly) closed the covers, kept me thinking and thinking and thinking.” —Anne Fadiman, author of The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down