Moving from 1969 Laos to 2018 Spain, Paul Yoon's spare novel concerning the tragedy of war follows three characters, scrappy teenagers who survive the relentless bombing of their country. In Run Me to Earth, nonlinear chapters alternate among each character's perspective and maintain suspense as Yoon (Snow Hunters) slowly reveals the fate of each. The novel reflects what war wreaks on civilian populations as they lead their lives in imminent danger.
In an author's preface, Yoon reviews the war in Laos and the nine years of CIA-directed bombing: "Over two million tons of ordnance were dropped." As the novel opens in 1969, Alisak and Prany, 17, and Prany's 16-year-old sister, Noi, have been wandering for three years and now work at a makeshift field hospital in a crumbling, abandoned estate. The teens, a few nurses and Vang, a Laotian doctor, minister to the victims of war, and dream of escape. They compare their fantasies, asking each other where they go at night. "France or Thailand?" is a recurring suggestion. Alisak recalls a helicopter rescue, then Yoon fast forwards to the story of Auntie, a long-ago neighbor, in 1974.
The juxtaposition of points of view and times mirrors the turmoil of war. As Alisak is resettled in southern France, Prany and Vang are "repatriated" for seven years. Auntie seeks word of their fate, continuing stealthily to lead others to freedom. While the despair of the story is profound, Yoon places resilience, loyalty, love and hope at its heart. --Cheryl Krocker McKeon, freelance reviewer