Charles Larsen

The Temple Guardian Charles Larsen

There is an old saying: In war there are no winners, only survivors.

Michael Stark, age 55, is a survivor of Vietnam, except that every day is a struggle not to slip back into the combat zone. And two contemporary nightmares propel him nearer to those old mindsets. Using prose and poetry, The Temple Guardian alternates between confusion, rage, love, and hate. Set in Florida and 1968 Vietnam, often idyllic places, intense and earthy passions are played out in this story of attempting to escape from the past, as well as conflicts about revenge, and seeking redemption and meaning in life. His neighbor, Norma, with whom he is developing a relationship, also has war demons due to her ex-husband's PTSD from the First Gulf War. Readers may gasp at some scenes, be repulsed by others, weep at some, and cheer during others, but will never know exactly where this story will turn next.