REVIEWS
Something About Ann, by J. Everett Prewitt is an excellent book of short stories including a novella of the same name, that will touch the heart of all… (It) is a must read for all who are interested in learning about brotherhood, bonding, passion, and survival.
Something About Ann‘s prologue opens in June of 1969, with a setting somewhere near the Cambodian border, making it evident this story will be about Vietnam. What isn’t immediately evident is that its two introductory characters, Clarence and Ann, will keep readers riveted to the story in this novella through a series of encounters against the backdrop of a conflict which places this production a cut above the usual singular Vietnam War scenario.
But this collection isn’t just about Ann and Clarence’s choices and confrontations. A host of other characters contribute to a bigger picture; each holding their own perspectives about Vietnam’s lasting effects on their lives. These stories offer differing viewpoints, yet nicely support one another with messages that neatly dovetail to follow the evolution of friendships, family, and a changing world that moves past the war’s politics and into personal arenas.
Readers seeking a different kind of Vietnam piece will relish the messages and approach of Something About Ann, which digs deeper into the finer psychology of social change and individual choice than most, making it a special recommendation for those who like their psychological insights at the forefront of popular modern historical writings.
Diane Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
…Reading this will give you some insight into what our service boys of today are facing. PTSD is a common ailment nowadays. Be nice to soldiers and respect them. War is hell.
There’s even a tale of romance in the collection. Enemies of the past find they aren’t so different after all.
All in all, there’s probably a story that will resonate with you here. They are varied, just like people are. Even if you have bad memories from the war, this was well worth the read.
Jo Ann Hakola, The Book Faerie
In “Something about Ann” Prewitt skillfully uses the Vietnam War as the catalyst for this interconnected anthology of short stories about a group of soldiers after returning stateside. Instead of focusing on these men’s experiences in the trenches, Prewitt shows how Vietnam has shaped the men they become, and why it should matter in the first place. The war is an important aspect of these men’s lives, but it isn’t the ONLY thing that defines them. They are veterans, but they are also fathers, lovers, brothers, thieves, skilled billiard players, businessmen, struggling heroes, average men, resilient killers, and so much more. Vietnam is a puzzle piece but not the whole part of their story.
The war never ends for these men, but not in the PTSD, shell-shocked manner that you may imagine. Each takes away something from the war that helps define and highlight their character.
While I thoroughly enjoyed reading through this book, perhaps what stood out most for me was what wasn’t there. This isn’t a flashy blood-and-guts war story. It’s more about the quiet aftermath of the war on those who served.
Sometimes the ordinary is what is extraordinary.
Jessica Dickenson Readers Views
Writer’s Digest Competitions
Entry Title: Something About Ann
Author: J. Everett Prewitt
Entry Category: Genre Fiction
A pretty scintillating opening. Way to jump right into the action. That’s an immediately arresting situation: A woman who’s attractive and yet reminds you of so many bad memories, p. 1. “Obscurity is your security”—I like that, p. 34. Some compelling personal situations. I like the web of relationships that you’re constructing, p. 66. “Normal people wouldn’t be having this conversation”—your dialogues have some lively twists, p. 84. “Beating Charles at something was a lifelong goal”—good! p. 112. “All he had to do was listen, though, and ultimately, it would come out.”—it seems that your book is filled with astute little observations like that. Really appreciated, p. 148. “Nobody wins except the liquor,” p. 168. I like this image of the words turning into bullets. Your dialogues are exceptionally direct and smooth. Excellent. Really compelling, this backfire PTSD episode at p. 193. The candy lady is a memorable character, p. 215. “Poison fruit.” So true! The observant can pick out troublemakers that quickly, p. 241. It’s amazing how good writing can make anything interesting —three days of moping, p. 266. I really enjoy your style.
Judge Number: 22
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BLURBS
Something About Ann is a collection of powerful, thought-provoking stories about the after effects of war, and how trauma influences survivors from both sides—for better or for worse. These interconnected short stories are filled with twists and surprise endings. They are captivating and keep the reader guessing.
Barbara Hacha – author of Line by Line
This first story is certainly not for the faint of heart as the horrors of the Vietnam War and the soldiers who were devastated because it is vividly created. The author’s brilliant writing style brings his readers onto the battlefield, into the war and all its tragic, harsh, life-changing realities…The twists and turns and cast of characters the author creates surrounding Clarence and Ann’s places on the battle lines were powerful and felt deeply. ..The chapters blend and the stories continue to cross and develop with a desperate theme of war, albeit drug deals, playing pool – bonds of friendship and family tested. The author is brilliant in bringing the racism and post-Vietnam war struggles to full light. The author spatters each story with connections to the 7 war buddies’ lives. The crossovers, blends, and themes are fascinating.
Gail A. Eichinger
Sensational read. Beautiful sentences, you can almost caress them. The style of writing plucked at all the strings of my heart, sending me on a peaceful float across the ocean of words. The story in itself was enrapturing, ensuring that the thought of shutting my eyes from reading for just a second doesn’t cross my mind.
I particularly loved the intertwined nature of the eleven short stories along with the historical novella as I ‘watched’ events unfold from varying points of view of individual characters. That priceless moment when you read what was happening to a character in his own POV at the exact moment when something significant was happening to a previous character.
The stories center around a group of Vietnam War veterans who had to deal with the traumatic experiences they encountered during the war. They are continuously haunted by memories but they occupy themselves with other aspects of life. Sticking close together and sometimes relying on their skills, most of them push through with their lives.
I found it hard to pick a favorite character, but I know my favorite scene was the manner, which I describe as ‘epic’, Clarence Bankston quit his job at Cleveland Family Services, under CEO Marjorie Sampson. I definitely felt she had it coming.
Quite frankly, I haven’t enjoyed a read this good in a long time.
Vickie Noel–Goodreads
This was SUCH a magnificent read! Mr. Prewitt did an outstanding job tying all 14 stories together, bringing protagonists into other characters’ stories, acting as secondary characters in them. What meant the most to me, though, was how well the author portrayed both the “black experience” and the “post-war experience”; I’m familiar with the former, so it was great getting a taste of the latter no matter how negative the experience.
The writing was sharp and poetic without taking away from the seriousness, and I enjoyed Mr. Prewitt’s way with words. I also think he did a great job with the characterizations, as I could totally empathize with what each of the men was going through, even if I didn’t agree with their choices.
Trina High
Believe it or not, I read this in one day! I loved the stories. I found myself asking for more. The characters were well developed. These stories brought to light many feelings. It is a MUST read.
Mary Zebrowski
I chose this (5) rating because the characters and plot were well written. I feel that after reading “Something About Ann: Stories of Love and Brotherhood,” I have a better understanding of what soldiers went through, especially those that were black. I appreciate that the author drew on his own experience since he’s a Vietnam war veteran.
Samantha