Idiot Wind: A Memoir - Peter Kaldheim (Book)

Title: Idiot Wind: A Memoir

Author: Peter Kaldheim

Publisher: Canongate Books

Publication Date: August 1, 2019

Pages: 352

ISBN: 9781786897367

Idiot Wind: A Memoir is Peter Kaldheim’s candid account of his descent into addiction and homelessness, and his arduous journey toward redemption. Once a Dartmouth graduate and promising editor in New York’s publishing world, Kaldheim’s life unraveled due to alcohol and cocaine addiction. By 1987, facing insurmountable debts to a violent drug dealer, he fled New York during a blizzard, embarking on a cross-country odyssey.

Traveling through 20 states over eight months, Kaldheim survived by hitchhiking, hopping freight trains, donating plasma for cash, and relying on the kindness of strangers. His journey exposed him to the stark realities of vagrancy in America and forced him to confront his past, including time spent in Rikers Island and the loss of significant relationships. Throughout his travels, he encountered a diverse array of individuals whose stories and generosity helped him rediscover empathy and a desire to reconnect with the world.

Critics have praised Idiot Wind for its raw honesty and compelling narrative. The Guardian described it as a memoir that, while set in the Reagan era, resonates with contemporary issues of homelessness and addiction. Kirkus Reviews noted that, despite a familiar redemption arc, Kaldheim’s voice remains fresh and authentic.