Death in Reverse is a poignant memoir about the miraculous things that can be accomplished through love and courage. That it is written in flawless and nuanced language, with images that are striking and original, is not surprising, since Ruth Schwartz is a consummate poet. What is surprising is that in relating her true story, Schwartz has constructed a gripping, suspenseful tale, masterfully presented, with the best skills of a novelist.
-- Lillian Faderman, author of Naked in the Promised Land and Surpassing the Love of Men

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The path to a transplant is a journey. (Death in Reverse) is an honest, tender, heart-wrenching, funny, sexy and ultimately affirming narrative of this path. It's an important book for anyone who is awaiting an organ transplant, anyone who has received one, anyone considering donating an organ, or anyone who loves someone in that situation. In fact, it's an important book for anyone who loves someone, period. It's not a "how-to" book, but it will tell you how. It's not a "self-help" book, but it may help.
-- Kyla Brooke, MFT; formerly married to a liver transplant recipient


...(Death in Reverse) is moving and wise, a document from unexplored territory. I find many dimensions and planes in it. The diligent focus on the details: the labor of illness; the lyrical evocations of sensuality (a Schwartz-forte); the portraits of others facing the terrible challenges alone, together and in the community that adversity rounds up. Truly a love story, it is. About remarkable people. About what might be remarkable in any of us. About what we need to remember about what we can give and take.
-- Don Morrill, author of Sounding for Cool and The Untouched Minutes