Will Weaver spins a fascinating tale so compelling in his fiction novel “Red Earth, White Earth,” the reader may not have the will to stop until the very last page.

“Red Earth White Earth” is the best kind of fiction novel – anchored in truth. The issues depicted are as tangible as the pages. The book touches on how complex relationships between whites and Indians can be compounded by land claim issues, alcoholism and the violence that results from miscommunication, lack of education and fear.

“Red Earth White Earth,” though written in third person narrative, is told mostly through Guy Pehrsson’s perspective. The story begins in 1984 when Guy, a successful businessman leading the typical California lifestyle, receives a letter from his grandfather, Helmer.

Helmer writes an ominous letter that simply states: “Trouble Here. Come home when you can.” It is an extreme understatement. However, while those seven words are what get Guy to visit home, the reader may find how Helmer closed the letter more troubling. Helmer signs it “Sincerely” and clarifies who he is by writing “Your Grandfather” before signing his full name.

One would assume that a grandfather-grandson relationship, especially one in which both parties had lived together for years, would be close enough to eliminate the need for the excessive clarification Helmer provided in his letter. And that’s where the reader learns their first lesson; never assume anything while reading this book. It is full of surprises – not all good ones.

As Guy makes the long trek to Minnesota, he reflects on his childhood. This conveniently allows the reader to catch up on the Pehrsson family’s history. The Pehrsson family owns a farm within the boundaries of White Earth, an Indian reservation. Guy’s father Martin is an alcoholic who is often abusive to his wife, Madeline. He distrusts everyone, including his family. However, he is downright discriminatory against the Chippewa who live on the White Earth Reservation.

Despite his father’s disapproval, Guy manages to befriend a young Chippewa named Tom Littlefoot during his childhood. Tom and Guy come from very different backgrounds. They are truly similar in only one way – by befriending each other, they are straddling a line that almost all others refuse to cross.

The Chippewa Indians criticize the white farmers and the white farmers harass the Indians. Their friendship allows them to see the discrimination both sides have – some Chippewa act cautiously around Guy and some farmers make derogatory comments around Tom. Although situations like this can be difficult to endure, especially for children, Tom and Guy only become closer.

Despite their strong bond, Tom and Guy become fed up with the lives they were born into and run away. They abandon even each other as young adults, losing touch for years as their quest for freedom takes priority.

Tom is the first to leave and the first to return. He makes a choice during their years apart, embracing his Chippewa roots after seeing a peaceful demonstration turn violent. He eventually returns home to become a leader in his community. Tom’s new life revolves around spearheading the land claim campaign to take back farm land within the White Earth Reservation boundaries.

Guy runs away and embraces his new lifestyle. He is a bit of a stranger when he returns home, oblivious to the conflict that revolves around his family’s farm and Tom’s newfound hometown celebrity status. It is hard to avoid for long though, as the land claim issue is thrust into the national spotlight. Guy is once again straddling a line while everyone else around him has taken a side. Although Tom stands next to Guy, he no longer stands with him on that line.

Tom has made his choice; Guy has not.

Guy’s internal struggle is palpable. This, combined with the third-person narration, forces the reader to see both sides of the situation and feel unsettled.

Even the cover art shows that the confusion is the point. The title, while written in white text, is against a reddish background. There is no comma separating the two phrases. The reader must choose where to look – the eye isn’t automatically drawn to one part of the title over the other. It is a subtle reflection on the turmoil within this novel, but an important one nonetheless. The Reservation needs the land to survive and so do the farmers. Both sides have valid concerns. Determining how to resolve this issue is a struggle both the characters and the reader must face.

Although this book is a joy to read, readers should be warned, this does not mean “Red Earth White Earth” is a joyful story. One should be prepared before reading it. Beware that this is a sexually explicit, violent, heart-breaking, and profanity-laced story. But there are plenty of light-hearted, read-’em-and-forget-’em books out there. What makes “Red Earth White Earth” a book worth reading is the story stays with you long after you’ve read that 356th page. And, more importantly, so do the issues depicted. It is that rare breed that manages to keep your attention and spark a conversation.