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Running with the Enemy
“Running with the Enemy” was awarded an honorable mention in general fiction at the 2013 San Francisco Book Festival.
The winner of the general fiction category went to John Irving’s “In One Person” published by Simon & Schuster. John Irving won the National Book Award in 1980 for “The World According to Garp”, and he received an O. Henry Award in 1981 for the short story “Interior Space.” In 2000, he won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for “The Cider House Rules”
Lloyd Lofthouse is the author of the award winning “My Splendid Concubine” and “Running with the Enemy”. Lloyd’s short story, A Night at the Well of Purity was named a finalist in the 2007 Chicago Literary Awards. His wife is Anchee Min, the author of “Red Azalea”, a New York Times Notable Book of the Year—in addition to national bestsellers “Becoming Madame Mao” and “Empress Orchid”, which was a finalist for the British Book Awards. Min’s memoir, the sequel to “Red Azalea”—“The Cooked Seed”—will be released May 7, 2013.
The winners of the 2013 San Francisco Book Festival will be honored on May 18, 2013 at a public free festival and a private awards ceremony held at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel in San Francisco.
The winner of the general fiction category went to John Irving’s “In One Person” published by Simon & Schuster. John Irving won the National Book Award in 1980 for “The World According to Garp”, and he received an O. Henry Award in 1981 for the short story “Interior Space.” In 2000, he won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for “The Cider House Rules”
Lloyd Lofthouse is the author of the award winning “My Splendid Concubine” and “Running with the Enemy”. Lloyd’s short story, A Night at the Well of Purity was named a finalist in the 2007 Chicago Literary Awards. His wife is Anchee Min, the author of “Red Azalea”, a New York Times Notable Book of the Year—in addition to national bestsellers “Becoming Madame Mao” and “Empress Orchid”, which was a finalist for the British Book Awards. Min’s memoir, the sequel to “Red Azalea”—“The Cooked Seed”—will be released May 7, 2013.
The winners of the 2013 San Francisco Book Festival will be honored on May 18, 2013 at a public free festival and a private awards ceremony held at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel in San Francisco.
327 pages, Paperback
First published January 21, 2013
36 people are currently reading
289 people want to read
About the author
Lloyd Lofthouse
13 books27 followersLloyd joined the United States Marines and served in Vietnam in 1966 as a field radio operator. Soon after graduating with a BA in journalism from Fresno State University, California, Lloyd started teaching English, literature, reading and journalism in the public schools from 1975 to 2005. Along the way, he enjoyed working as a maitre d' in a multi-million dollar nightclub and taught himself to count cards where he made some money in Las Vegas. If Lloyd stuck to what he learned about counting cards, he always left Vegas with more money than he arrived with.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
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May 7, 2014DNF - 0 stars
Where I stopped reading: Before the 20% mark.
Why I stopped reading: I’ve never given up on a book before the 20% mark. I’ve never given up on a book that I agreed to review for an author- until today.
I HATED this story beginning with the first page. I brought it to the doctor’s office thinking that anything would be better than sitting around bored thus forcing myself to read it. But it turns out I'd rather stare at a blank wall and listen to germ infested zombie look alikes cough up a lung than read one more page of this book.
I stopped at 16% when a US soldier was joyfully planning the brutal rape and torture of a Vietnamese woman like most people plan a Disney vacation. It was revolting.
As reviewed by Belinda at Every Free Chance Book Reviews.
(I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
http://everyfreechance.com/2014/05/dn...
Where I stopped reading: Before the 20% mark.
Why I stopped reading: I’ve never given up on a book before the 20% mark. I’ve never given up on a book that I agreed to review for an author- until today.
I HATED this story beginning with the first page. I brought it to the doctor’s office thinking that anything would be better than sitting around bored thus forcing myself to read it. But it turns out I'd rather stare at a blank wall and listen to germ infested zombie look alikes cough up a lung than read one more page of this book.
I stopped at 16% when a US soldier was joyfully planning the brutal rape and torture of a Vietnamese woman like most people plan a Disney vacation. It was revolting.
As reviewed by Belinda at Every Free Chance Book Reviews.
(I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
http://everyfreechance.com/2014/05/dn...
May 21, 2013
From start to finish, I thoroughly enjoyed every page of this book. The story gripped me, and for good reason! Books that have fascinating, unusual characters always capture my interest – and this novel’s villain is the villain above all villains! He is an abhorrent CIA agent gone rogue – a ruthless killer who sharpens his teeth to bite and torment and torture his victims. I could not help but hate this man, and this only added to my enjoyment of this book. Of course, the protagonist is equally as captivating – a recon marine named Ethan Card who is as tough as they come. He is strong, a born leader, and will go to the ends of the earth to save his buddies, even if he puts his own life in danger. Wrongfully framed, with the military eager to capture and charge him, he is on the run, desperate to prove his innocence, intent on saving those who support him from danger. And then there are a whole cast of secondary characters, both good and bad, who add color and interest to the tale, creating additional conflict and tension.
The prose is written in a gritty, quippy way, enhanced by vivid, compelling descriptions that seem all too real at times. This is no surprise because the author himself is a Vietnam veteran. It is obvious that much of what he wrote comes from his own personal experiences, and this makes the story stand out as an exceptional military suspense/thriller.
The fight/combat scenes are stunning, very realistic. The novel’s pace is quick, with tension building as the story progresses. There is some graphic violence, of course, true to the setting, era, and culture, educating the reader as to some of the horrors. Betrayal, revenge, murder, and desperation make this a must read! It is a well written, well edited novel that will keep you interested from start to finish. Very highly recommended.
The prose is written in a gritty, quippy way, enhanced by vivid, compelling descriptions that seem all too real at times. This is no surprise because the author himself is a Vietnam veteran. It is obvious that much of what he wrote comes from his own personal experiences, and this makes the story stand out as an exceptional military suspense/thriller.
The fight/combat scenes are stunning, very realistic. The novel’s pace is quick, with tension building as the story progresses. There is some graphic violence, of course, true to the setting, era, and culture, educating the reader as to some of the horrors. Betrayal, revenge, murder, and desperation make this a must read! It is a well written, well edited novel that will keep you interested from start to finish. Very highly recommended.
June 5, 2013
My 4.5 Star rating
The story begin with some action as the main characters are introduced, we met Ethan Card and his lover Tuyen a lady with a mix background at their hide out in an abandoned house of a rubber plantation in Vietnam. They are been watched by a devious person named Victor Ortega a CIA agent but also a weapon smuggler.
The role of Ortega as the corrupt agent and villain was well defined as he plots Ethan’s demise. Accusing him of certain acts that caused him to be court marshaled.
The violence is very graphic and believable as it evolved in the story line. At times the detail repulsed me but seeing this is a story about the Vietnamese War it is understandable.
In the beginning the story was fast paced but slowed down in the middle because of the recovery of Ethan. From there it picked up once again to the ultimate climax, keeping you on the edge. The author’s writing made all the scenes believable with a clear understanding about combat situations. Few questions remained and I can only hope that there will be a sequel to the story.
All the other characters were well defined and fitting. Each person’s role was part of the building blocks to create an exciting and suspense filled story line.
This was quit a riveting but cruel story, not for the faint of heart. Well written with very graphic language and violent scenes but all over a very good suspense book.
The story begin with some action as the main characters are introduced, we met Ethan Card and his lover Tuyen a lady with a mix background at their hide out in an abandoned house of a rubber plantation in Vietnam. They are been watched by a devious person named Victor Ortega a CIA agent but also a weapon smuggler.
The role of Ortega as the corrupt agent and villain was well defined as he plots Ethan’s demise. Accusing him of certain acts that caused him to be court marshaled.
The violence is very graphic and believable as it evolved in the story line. At times the detail repulsed me but seeing this is a story about the Vietnamese War it is understandable.
In the beginning the story was fast paced but slowed down in the middle because of the recovery of Ethan. From there it picked up once again to the ultimate climax, keeping you on the edge. The author’s writing made all the scenes believable with a clear understanding about combat situations. Few questions remained and I can only hope that there will be a sequel to the story.
All the other characters were well defined and fitting. Each person’s role was part of the building blocks to create an exciting and suspense filled story line.
This was quit a riveting but cruel story, not for the faint of heart. Well written with very graphic language and violent scenes but all over a very good suspense book.
May 31, 2013
Overall it rings true of war and what it was like to serve in Vietnam. Much of the book details the fighting, the casualties and the heartbreak and the trauma experienced by the soldiers. The book also takes you on a dizzying journey when the lovers Tuyen and Ethan flee to other countries in Southeast Asia - Laos, Cambodia, Bangkok, Thailand ,and Burma (Myanmar).
For those who would like to see what it was really like, this is an excellent book, which began as a memoir of Vietnam.
For those who would like to see what it was really like, this is an excellent book, which began as a memoir of Vietnam.
February 27, 2014
Recon Marine Ethan Card is in love with Tuyen. However Tuyen is part of the North Vietnamese Communist group, who's brother just happens to be the leader. It would not be as bad if it was not for the fact that Ethan and Tuyen are living during a time of war where the Americans and Vietnamese are fighting each other. Tuyen is not exempt. She has killed many Americans but at the order of her brother. He is a sadist who hates Tuyen. Ethan is a good guy who finds himself in a situation as the scape goat for a evil rogue CIA agent. Ethan realizing how dire the situation is, escapes with Tuyen through the jungle on the ride of their lives.
Running with the Enemy is the second book I have read from Mr. Lofthouse. The first was My Splendid Concubine. Mr. Lofthouse really writes with such passion no matter the topic he is writing about. For example in this book, Mr. Lofthouse holds nothing bad. It can get pretty visceral with the characters and their emotions. Also, warning as it does get graphic in regards to rape, killings, and language. So if you can not handle any of these three things than this is not the book for you. However, if you are not easiliy offended by these things then you should check this book out as it will have you rooting for the good guys the whole time. Plus, it is a really quick read that sucks you in until the end.
Running with the Enemy is the second book I have read from Mr. Lofthouse. The first was My Splendid Concubine. Mr. Lofthouse really writes with such passion no matter the topic he is writing about. For example in this book, Mr. Lofthouse holds nothing bad. It can get pretty visceral with the characters and their emotions. Also, warning as it does get graphic in regards to rape, killings, and language. So if you can not handle any of these three things than this is not the book for you. However, if you are not easiliy offended by these things then you should check this book out as it will have you rooting for the good guys the whole time. Plus, it is a really quick read that sucks you in until the end.
June 8, 2013
When Lloyd Lofthouse approached me about his new book, I got excited. I loved The Concubine Saga so was highly anticipating his next book. However, I was a bit nervous at the same time because, this time, he write an action/adventure/thriller. Though I do watch some movies in that genre, I rarely read books in it.
As I started reading, I quickly saw that I didn't have to worry. Running With the Enemy has some of the great elements I loved so much in The Concubine Saga; the character development, plot, setting, and historical elements. All the things I need to make a book a great read.
The action was pretty much non-stop. The love affair between Ethan and Tuyen felt real. The bad guys were scary bad! The only thing that seemed out of place to me, was the character, Victor Ortega's use of the word "man". I know that word was used a lot in the 60's but he said it at the end of just about every sentence. For me, it took away from the flow of the novel.
This heart pounding adventure is not for the faint of heart. It is full of sex and violence. It is for adults only! That said, I highly recommend it! Lloyd Lofthouse did it again! I can hardly wait to see where his next novel takes us!
As I started reading, I quickly saw that I didn't have to worry. Running With the Enemy has some of the great elements I loved so much in The Concubine Saga; the character development, plot, setting, and historical elements. All the things I need to make a book a great read.
The action was pretty much non-stop. The love affair between Ethan and Tuyen felt real. The bad guys were scary bad! The only thing that seemed out of place to me, was the character, Victor Ortega's use of the word "man". I know that word was used a lot in the 60's but he said it at the end of just about every sentence. For me, it took away from the flow of the novel.
This heart pounding adventure is not for the faint of heart. It is full of sex and violence. It is for adults only! That said, I highly recommend it! Lloyd Lofthouse did it again! I can hardly wait to see where his next novel takes us!
October 3, 2013
This book will definitely give you a good idea of life in Vietnam during the war the US fought there. The author definitely has included vivid, entrancing descriptions of the country, the people and the military who served there. Ethan Card is a young Marine who is blamed for a crime he did not commit by a rogue CIA agent and spends the book crisscrossing Asia with his lover Tuyen trying to exonerate himself. This book is a true testament to the soldiers who fought there as well as to the resilient people who lived and live there. The story definitely brought home to me the lives and times of this war. Much of the book is devoted to the soldiers, how they lived, how they felt, what they accomplished. Based on my experience, this is a misunderstood war, and both countries today still suffer from our time there. Books like this one help us all understand what the war and life was really like. I recommend this book to anyone who appreciates and enjoys reading about history and the countries and people who are thrown into them, by choice or not. It is an action-filled, intriguing story I will not forget soon. I received this book from Library Thing to read and review.
June 21, 2013
Who could not love an action packed war thriller with gripping scenes, romance, explosions and much much more? When first delving into this book I loved it. Lloyd started out with a bang giving me, his reader, a stunning opening that kept my rapt attention and a thirst to keep on going.
I followed Tuyen and Ethan as they struggled with the forces around them and found themselves on the wrong side of Military law and the unforgiving law of the Vietnam jungle. Not only were they being hunted by a traitor framing Ethan, but they were also hunted by Tuyen’s malicious half brother Giap and his crew, but also the refugees of the jungle who wiped out villages and took slaves.
While I loved the vibrant storyline, I became a little flustered with the language, racial slurs, vulgar suggestions, military speak. I found it hard relate at times because of the lack of connection. But regardless of this small setback it did not detract much from the following the story and enjoying it.
I followed Tuyen and Ethan as they struggled with the forces around them and found themselves on the wrong side of Military law and the unforgiving law of the Vietnam jungle. Not only were they being hunted by a traitor framing Ethan, but they were also hunted by Tuyen’s malicious half brother Giap and his crew, but also the refugees of the jungle who wiped out villages and took slaves.
While I loved the vibrant storyline, I became a little flustered with the language, racial slurs, vulgar suggestions, military speak. I found it hard relate at times because of the lack of connection. But regardless of this small setback it did not detract much from the following the story and enjoying it.
September 2, 2013
This is a real pulse pounding adventure that is not for the faint of heart. You have a heroic soldier and crazed villains and a satisfying ending. I always like when the easy way is not taken, it leads to a much better read for the hero to overcome his problems with forceful determination. A must read for those that like military adventure.
Free review copy.
Free review copy.
March 23, 2025
Running with the Enemy by Lloyd Lofthouse is a gritty suspenseful thriller and not at all what I expected. Ethan Card is a Marine who has a VC girlfriend whom he periodically visits in an abandoned villa outside of a rubber plantation. A CIA Agent, Victor Ortega finds out about the affair and blackmails Card to promote his own interest (selling arms to the enemy). At the same time, Tuyan, the girlfriend, is hunted by her half-brother, who is a VC Cadre, when he finds out about the affair from the CIA Agent.
Card cannot prove his innocence and runs away with his girlfriend. They travel across Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Burma to escape and find Tuyan's mother who can help them. Ortega's influence is widespread with support all through SE Asia. Of course, readers will have to suspend belief for much of the story, even Rambo couldn't do as well.
The story is an episode of good versus evil. It is brutal and quite descriptive in its violence. Running did keep my interest from beginning to end, although there were some slow parts in the middle. Will the lovers succeed and live happily ever after? You'll have to read the book to find out.
Card cannot prove his innocence and runs away with his girlfriend. They travel across Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Burma to escape and find Tuyan's mother who can help them. Ortega's influence is widespread with support all through SE Asia. Of course, readers will have to suspend belief for much of the story, even Rambo couldn't do as well.
The story is an episode of good versus evil. It is brutal and quite descriptive in its violence. Running did keep my interest from beginning to end, although there were some slow parts in the middle. Will the lovers succeed and live happily ever after? You'll have to read the book to find out.
February 28, 2022
Best Hardcore Military Action!
There's something inside most of us that generates anxiety for those who frame innocent people to be destroyed brutally! Don't eventful stop reading for the night once you begin reading. A page-turner like no other!
There's something inside most of us that generates anxiety for those who frame innocent people to be destroyed brutally! Don't eventful stop reading for the night once you begin reading. A page-turner like no other!
March 6, 2014
In this suspense thriller we follow Ethan Card, a Recon Marine fighting during the Vietnam war as he tries to vindicate himself, after he is wrongfully accused of selling weapons to the enemy by rogue CIA agent Victor Ortega. His past makes him the perfect mark and his affair with Tuyen a Vietnam resistance fighter is icing on the cake. Ethan hijacks a plane and we follow him as he is stalked by Ortega,Tuyen's half brother Giap and his band of mercenaries as they try to eliminate him as a problem.
This book is action driven and extremely graphic in its violence. Giap and Ortega are methodical and deadly, both of them have a long reach, with many contacts through out the region. It is both intriguing and disturbing the depth of hatred and possession Giap feels towards his half sister, as he fantasizes about rapping her and torturing her lover. Ortega is driven by violence and power and will stop at nothing to bring down Ethan card no matter how many men it cost him.
The story started and ran full out, with action and intrigue but I found myself distracted and a little bored thorough the middle while Ethan was recovering. I wasn't impressed with the addition of Angel to the scene what started off as sweet quickly became disturbing when he develops a sexual relationship with a girl of no more than 14. I was completely disgusted by that and it almost turned me off from the rest of the book. The action however quickly picks back up and continues until the very last moments when our hero saves the girl he loves.
I will be honest while there are parts of this book that I enjoyed there were parts that I had a hard time getting past. The author did a great job in his writing, given the nature of the subject I don't think the the violence was gratuitous given the subject matter but I did question some of the roles of woman placed in this book as either someone to bed, or someone to exercise power over and torture. As an American I would have though Ethan would have been more morally apposed to bedding a 14 yr old child as it would be considered statutory rape in his country. It was hard to swallow.
I would not recommend this book to anyone under the age of 18 yrs because of the graphic violence and sex throughout.
I gave this book a 3.5 out of 5 star rating.
This is not my usual genre of choice and the subject matter did play a large role in my ranking of this book
This book is action driven and extremely graphic in its violence. Giap and Ortega are methodical and deadly, both of them have a long reach, with many contacts through out the region. It is both intriguing and disturbing the depth of hatred and possession Giap feels towards his half sister, as he fantasizes about rapping her and torturing her lover. Ortega is driven by violence and power and will stop at nothing to bring down Ethan card no matter how many men it cost him.
The story started and ran full out, with action and intrigue but I found myself distracted and a little bored thorough the middle while Ethan was recovering. I wasn't impressed with the addition of Angel to the scene what started off as sweet quickly became disturbing when he develops a sexual relationship with a girl of no more than 14. I was completely disgusted by that and it almost turned me off from the rest of the book. The action however quickly picks back up and continues until the very last moments when our hero saves the girl he loves.
I will be honest while there are parts of this book that I enjoyed there were parts that I had a hard time getting past. The author did a great job in his writing, given the nature of the subject I don't think the the violence was gratuitous given the subject matter but I did question some of the roles of woman placed in this book as either someone to bed, or someone to exercise power over and torture. As an American I would have though Ethan would have been more morally apposed to bedding a 14 yr old child as it would be considered statutory rape in his country. It was hard to swallow.
I would not recommend this book to anyone under the age of 18 yrs because of the graphic violence and sex throughout.
I gave this book a 3.5 out of 5 star rating.
This is not my usual genre of choice and the subject matter did play a large role in my ranking of this book
June 11, 2013
This is a book about war and violence and Lloyd Lofthouse doesn’t hold back. He portrays the violence straightforwardly without any fanfare, showing the military and culture clashes and greed for power that lead to torture, rape, and murder. Ethan Card and Price and ARVN Ngyuen stand as men trying to do the right thing in a messed up situation. Ortega isn’t the only man who lacks a moral compass. No, such men run free and plentiful in this book. A key character is Tuyen’s half brother Giap, a sadistic man with a chip on his shoulder concerning Tuyen’s parents. It’s a nitty gritty read, to be sure.
Let’s talk about the sex, both violent and pleasurable (distinctly separate in this book). There are few female characters and those females have one of two roles: 1) Being rescued/protected by a good guy, who they are bedded by; or 2) Being threatened with rape or experiencing rape.
The book didn’t go into any of the Asian cultures mentioned in any great detail, which I had hoped it would. Instead, the book is primarily Americans running around the jungles of Asia perpetrating violence or trying to end it. The characters, once laid out, didn’t change much. The story was heavily action-driven with little development of character or setting. The whole story was steeped in testosterone. The ending was predictable.
So, did I like it? I was sucked in by the nitty gritty feng shui of the book, then repelled by the over use of sexual violence and testosterone dousing. Even though the ending was predictable, I still liked that the good guys won and the bad guys lost. However, the limited roles by the female characters left me feeling that half the story still lies buried and voiceless.
Let’s talk about the sex, both violent and pleasurable (distinctly separate in this book). There are few female characters and those females have one of two roles: 1) Being rescued/protected by a good guy, who they are bedded by; or 2) Being threatened with rape or experiencing rape.
The book didn’t go into any of the Asian cultures mentioned in any great detail, which I had hoped it would. Instead, the book is primarily Americans running around the jungles of Asia perpetrating violence or trying to end it. The characters, once laid out, didn’t change much. The story was heavily action-driven with little development of character or setting. The whole story was steeped in testosterone. The ending was predictable.
So, did I like it? I was sucked in by the nitty gritty feng shui of the book, then repelled by the over use of sexual violence and testosterone dousing. Even though the ending was predictable, I still liked that the good guys won and the bad guys lost. However, the limited roles by the female characters left me feeling that half the story still lies buried and voiceless.
January 7, 2014
Running is a heady, engaging war tale with a well-paced plot of an American combat hero trying to clear his name when he is wrongly accused of a treasonous conspiracy in Southeast Asia. It is set during the Vietnam war and follows the shadowy paths of several characters across many national borders. Learning that this substantial book was originally fueled by memoir made it more riveting for me. Author Lofthouse, a Vietnam veteran, paints an exotic picture that ranges between thrilling and bleak. His experiences reveal a level of human suffering that the politicians and generals never could conceive and to this day, don't understand. That any dignity or loyalty or human compassion could rise out of such a misguided exercise in futility, points at the strengths of the human heart. Justice, when finally served, comes at a price, even if it is satisfying. Lofthouse is an excellent storyteller with an important tale to tell. I recommend this novel to anyone with an interest in learning the boundaries that apply to the human condition during wartime.
May 10, 2014
This is a book that is not for all readers. It is about war and what happens to the soldiers that risk their lives. It was gruesome at times and the author really made me think about war, and the effects that it has on the soldiers, and the families of the soldiers. There is also a love story that will either cost the characters everything (even their lives), or will complete each others hearts.I am giving this book a 4/5. I was given a copy to review, however all opinions are my own. - See more at: http://dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com/2...
April 21, 2017
Lots of action. May be too graphic for younger people. Even though it is supposed to be fiction the places the author tells about are real. This could almost be described as porn due to descriptions of some of the situations.
The story moves very fast and a knowledge of the military is helpful. I am sure there are many people that do not like this type of story but, if you read about war and on the ground combat this is a good read.
The story moves very fast and a knowledge of the military is helpful. I am sure there are many people that do not like this type of story but, if you read about war and on the ground combat this is a good read.
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