Involuntary Exile

About the Book

Involuntary Exile, written in a unique literary style, is a of reconciliation told against a backdrop of the great Southern California earthquake. The protagonist, Runner, through flashback memories, relives his year in Vietnam as a U. S. Navy surgical technician, where he was confronted by the devastating losses and horrors of war.  With the destruction of the earthquake surrounding him, he makes his way to the San Gabriel Mountains in search of a place to ride out the civil chaos he is convinced will ensue following annihilation of the infrastructure.  Runner's physical and mental scars are revealed, along with his past love affair involving a Vietnamese school teacher.  He meets a strong and independent hermit in the mountains, but is compelled to return to the valley.  He encounterss a Vietnamese maid, who bears a strong resemblance to his former, would-be love.  She resolves a long-standing conflict in Runner's heart and mind by sharing her knowledge of why a gift he was given turned his life into tragedy.  That incident, coupled with a frightful sexual encounter and mutilation, haunt Runner throughout this narrative.  He is an exile from the military, society, and his very homeland.

About the Author