Alisak

Alisak is one of the novel’s central characters. He was born in a rural region of Laos. He was orphaned after his parents, who worked on an opium farm, became addicted to opium. In his childhood, he became close friends with the characters Prany and Noi. At the beginning of the novel, Alisak is 17 years old and is working at a field hospital near where he grew up. He and his friends scavenge for supplies whenever they are able. Alisak eventually manages to escape Laos with the help of a government-organized evacuation, but he becomes separated from his friends. He arrives in France, where he is hosted by a Frenchman who gives shelter to refugees. Alisak eventually leaves and begins a new life in Spain, where he finds work. He lives out the rest of his days there peacefully, although he never reunited with his old friends...