Something About Ann: Stories of Love and Brotherhood

by J. Everett Prewitt

Something About Ann is a historical fiction novella and eleven short stories that follow a group of African-American soldiers who faced traumatic experiences in Vietnam but remained close after returning to the States. Violence and turmoil continue to haunt the soldiers as they try to normalize their lives. Sometimes relying on the help of each other, and sometimes relying on the skills they gained in combat, most prevail.

In the novella, Something About Ann, a black Vietnam veteran and a Vietnamese woman fall in love not knowing they were once combatants. Clarence Bankston returns from the Vietnam War shaken by his experience. After seeing Ann Minh, a Vietnamese, at a party, he is repulsed because she is a reminder of a war he does not want to relive. Once she initiates a conversation, though, they bond, recognizing both have been affected by the conflict. The peace of mind each seeks, however, eludes them as their pasts unfold.

In the story, Lucky, a veteran, Raphael “Lucky” Holland, finds his niche as a stick-up artist. His luck runs out when he tries to rob a stranger whose past is darker than Holland’s. In a Sound Decision, Marcus Glover restrains from fighting a tormentor because he is haunted by a prior confrontation that may have resulted in a death.

Xavier Warfield is a veteran and a promising pool hustler. In The Education of Xavier Warfield, he finds the most valuable lessons in life are not learned in the pool room when he falls for a lady with a questionable past. With One Exception tells of an encounter that begins on shaky terms between a militant African-American and a white Vietnam veteran but evolves as the militant helps the white veteran fight his demons.

The Gift finds Myron Turner, a recluse and an empath, confronted by an older empath when he tries to suppress his abilities. Leroy Casper is enjoying The Good Life when a past association barges into his life shattering the peace he has established and causes him to make drastic decisions. In The Tell, Elgin learns that a “tell” applies not only to poker but to life— too late.

Ralph Gaines in The Best Seat In the House, is down on his luck after a lofty law career and only has a reserved seat in a bar as a symbol of respect. When a young bully commandeers the chair, the elderly Gaines snaps, simultaneously solving the seat issue and a personal problem. The Last Time I Saw Willie, is a coming of age account of a young middle-class African-American who learns the importance of dedication and persistence when he meets Willie Stinson, an orphan.

A Good Day To Be A Man shows that physical confrontation is not necessarily the path to manhood. In Slow Songs, Lieutenant Raymond Williams faces his worst fear in Vietnam, and it has nothing to do with his personal welfare.

325 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 12, 2017

About the author

I graduated from Glenville High School in Cleveland, Ohio, received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, and earned a Master of Science degree in Urban Studies from Cleveland State University. I am a Vietnam Veteran and former army officer.

Something About Ann, my latest novel, is a historical fiction novella with eleven short stories that follows a group of soldiers who faced traumatic experiences in Vietnam but remained close after returning to the States. Violence and turmoil continue to haunt the soldiers as they try to normalize their lives.

A Long Way Back tells the story of black soldiers thought to be killed in action who mysteriously reappear in Cu Chi, Vietnam. A curious war correspondent uncovers an illegal army mission gone awry.

So far, A Long Way Back has won the Independent Publisher’s of New England first place award, the Literary Classics Seal of Approval, was a finalist for the Montaigne Medal Award and was a DQ winner in the IBPA Ben Franklin Award contest.
My novel received the Bronze Award from the 2015 INDIEFAB Book of the Year Awards, the Silver Award from Literary Classics and the Silver Award from the Military Writers Society of America.

I am also the author of the award winning Snake Walkers. My debut novel placed first for fiction in four different literary contests, won the bronze award for general fiction in the ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year competition, and was also honored by the Black Caucus of the American Library Association.

My literary inspiration comes from writers like Cheikh Anta Diop, Malidoma Somé, and Maryse Conde. I also like the futuristic novels of Octavia Butler and Tananarive Due. I grew up reading Robert Ludlum, John Le Carré, Richard Wright, James Baldwin, and Langston Hughes.

I enjoy reading, tennis, billiards, working out, traveling, cooking, and drinking a good wine. I am the father of Lia Martin of Los Angeles and Eric Prewitt of Las Vegas.

Reviews

[Vickie Noel · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 views 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. A few grammatical/punctuation errors were present, quite alright, but nothing I couldn't live with.

Recommended to all readers.

[Deborah Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vietnam era stories, haunting at moments, brutal at others. Searing portrait of the era. Well written, layered, characters, move on from war to more war at home. Recomended

[Mia · Rating 3 out of 5]

It feels like I need to review two books. The Tales Of Brotherhood were an incredible window into the world the Vietnam vet. The stories of lifelong loyalty and intimacy between the men who shared the war experience were beautifully written. The language was clear and descriptive; you could almost feel the tension or weight of emotions happening in the rooms. That was the good part.

The other side, the love, left much to be desired. With the exception of one woman, the female characters were narrowly written with little shared about them outside of their height, pantsuit description and the occasional fact - but only as it related to the male character. The love relationships could have been much more developed.

Overall, it was an entertaining book. In addition, if you’re the child of a Nam vet like I am, it may bring some insight into a world that many of our parents won’t discuss with us.

[Tena · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won a kindle version #GoodreadsGiveaway

[Lillie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something about Ann

I enjoyed each story very much. My father was in world war two as a sergeant who did a lot of fighting but came back to my mother uninjured but mean. I never saw that side of him. God changed him and he became a God fearing man and had 4 children. I was the only baby girl and he was a wonderful father to all of us. Continue to write Everett. You have a gift and I have read every one of your books. Ms Brown

[Namrata · Rating 3 out of 5]

Something About Ann is a collection of interconnected short stories, set in Cleveland, that lets us take a peek into the lives of a group of Vietnam veterans and people connected to them, during and after the war. We see glimpses of PTSD, crime, poverty, violence and death in this beautifully intertwined historical fiction.

I liked the author's writing technique and in spite of the stories featuring many characters, it wasn't difficult to keep track of names and their lives.

The first story "Something about Ann" is the most heart-wrenching of all. Ann is from Vietnam and is a constant reminder of the nightmarish war to Bankston. In spite of their differences, they fall in love, but a few climatic events, that threaten the secrecy of Ann's past, becomes a tipping point in their relationship. I felt so connected to Ann/Trung that it was almost frustrating to not know more about her life and trials after the final bus ride in the epilogue. 

We follow Holland, drug addict and criminal, in "Lucky" as he plans to rob a stranger and later celebrate his birthday with friends.

In the "Education of Xavier Warfield", Warfield is a pool hustler with a lot of emotional baggage. His relationship with Valerie and Reynolds, which helps him grow and heal emotionally, is beautifully executed.

In " A Sound Decision" Marcus Glover dwells on the mistakes of his past to avoid confrontations in the present.

Erving Robinson in "With One Exception" is racist because of the racism he faces every day. He hates white people, but a chance meeting brings him into contact with a fellow veteran who becomes his one exception. (Also beware, Paulson's actions might give you murderous thoughts)

"The Gift" is a tale of Myron Turner, who has the ability to sense foreboding moments and tragic events in people's lives.

In "A Good Life", Leroy Casper and Yvette are happily celebrating Casper's birthday in South Carolina when an old acquaintance Dixon drops by and threatens to destroy their peaceful life. This story was important to me because of Yvette was brave and ready to face challenges.

In " The Tell" the protagonist is a patron of Easy's (a pub) and there he falls for a much younger woman who doesn't have the best intentions at heart.

"The Best Seat in the House" follows the life of Ralph Gaines in the aftermath of his career failure and bankruptcy. I loved the unexpected and satisfactory ending.

"The Last Time I Saw Willie" is a fascinating story of competitiveness, character growth and brotherhood.

"A Good Day to be a Man" is a tale that teaches one of the characters, Skeet, that confrontation and unnecessary violence is not what makes a man.

"Slow Songs" is a tragic story of Vince Valentine and Raymond Williams (who is featured in the previous story). They become friends in a Convalescent Center in Vietnam and share life experiences. Later, Reynolds understands the meaning of loss and fear.

I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars. The reason for one less star is the inclusion of a few repetitive sentences and grammatical mistakes. Nothing a bit of editing couldn't remedy.

[Susie Helme · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella is comprised of twelve interconnected short stories following a group of African-American soldiers who faced traumatic experiences in Vietnam during the 1955-1975 war. The wartime experiences of this squad were covered in Prewitt’s earlier book, A Long Way Back.
These stories talk about what it’s like to experience fear of death, horrific injury, blood and pain and grief—the devastating experience of dedicating one’s life to a cause that failed, a war that ended in embarrassing defeat.
These fictional stories follow the soldiers after their return home. Clarence Bankston falls for a Vietnamese nail salon owner he meets at a party, Ann Minh. Acknowledging the discomfort of the situation, having established they both ‘left in ‘69’, she is the one who apologises. Her real name is Ly Trung Trac; she is married; she is North Vietnamese.
Some of those who fought are still, years later, looking for revenge. As one veteran says, ‘if someone threatens you or your loved ones, and you are trained to kill, you tend to see every solution through the sight of your rifle.’ These vendettas intermesh with present-day conflicts over women or money.
Each man faces his demons from the war as well as the racism and other ills of the society they returned to.
It is written from the soldier’s perspective. Personalising the war experience recognises that the Vietnamese and the American soldiers were arguably ‘fellow victims’.
I liked the device of masking perpetrator’s identities using foreigners’ pronunciation of names (Mr Krantz, Mr Clarence). The portrayal of ways in which the veterans’ inescapable trauma affects their present-day struggles is intimate and profound. I loved the intimate peeks into a veteran’s mind of the one shying away from a fight for fear of hearing something he’d heard before, the smash of a head against the wall ‘like a watermelon’, and the one who kept his pistol under his bed until his wife threatened to divorce him, and the one where a shared wartime experience is powerful enough to break down the black/white racism barrier.
The ‘jungle’ metaphors are beautiful (‘like a sleeping panther that, if awakened, attacks’; ‘hunched like a water buffalo getting ready to charge’). The use of dialogue is excellent; the characters really come through.
It is best to read this work as a collection of short stories rather than as a novella. This format—interconnected short stories—means that some loose ends are left when each episode concludes. That leaves the reader to wonder what connects the stories; they are all connected by the theme of the struggle to come to terms with wartime trauma and the particular struggle of black veterans. ‘Some say that war produces 100% casualties.’

[Reader Views · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who grew up in the United States after the Vietnam War, I don’t think I am the only person who associates Vietnam veterans with extreme PTSD, resilience, the forced draft, and silent trauma. Horror stories of Hamburger Hill, the Tet Offensive, and the Fall of Saigon give me shivers even though I am a generation removed from these events.

Many stories about the Vietnam War and Vietnam veterans highlight these events showcasing the horrible blood and gore that so many young men experienced. I don’t think there is anything wrong with highlighting these experiences, but there are pitfalls. We can almost become enamored with the brutality of war or assume that war is the most important aspect of a person’s life. While author J. Everitt Prewitt is himself a Vietnam veteran, he takes a unique twist in “Something about Ann: Stories of Love and Brotherhood.”

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.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stories grow on you, and grow together

I received this Kindle book from a Goodreads giveaway, but this is still an honest review.

This book is actually a novella, Something About Ann, followed by short stories, all of which highlight the experiences of African-American fellow soldiers of the Vietnam era. Because of how the stories involve characters from the same world, it was neat to see familiar names and faces popping up. This was a really different place, time and experience for me to explore, but I liked that. While it was a challenge for me to fully understand some of the situations, the writing was evocative and I found myself really thinking about these men & those they cared about, all that they went through. I would recommend especially to male African-American veterans (or any subset of that group), history/culture junkies, or anyone who might like a volume of short stories all somehow related within the same world.

[Miley Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection offers a raw, honest look at the lives of Vietnam veterans struggling to rebuild themselves after war. Each interconnected story reveals deep emotional scars, unexpected bonds, and the quiet strength it takes to survive. The characters feel painfully real, carrying trauma, love, and regret in equal measure. Thoughtful and powerful, the book leaves a lasting impression of resilience and shared humanity.

[Amber Moore · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok this book was ok or started that way..if u read the cover it is about a man and woman’s and again starts out that way then way lays off into the story of Vietnam and I am not even sure if it was about Clarence any more...I felt the story totally dumped in the middle and turned. A corner without informing me of the plan..no sure I would read this author again..

[Samantha Holtsclaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading "Something About Ann," I feel like I have a better understanding of what soldiers faced when they came back from Vietnam. The character development was well done and it felt much more engaging than reading a History book.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It put many things in perspective. Showed me what people go thru in different circumstances. I couldn't put it down once I started reading this book.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! Well written, complex characters. I look forward to reading more of Mr. Prewitt’s works.

[Gail A.]

Vietnam. My era. 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 of it is vividly created. The author’s brilliant writing style brings her readers onto the battlefield, into the war and all its tragic, harsh, life-changing realities. Clarence Bangston is struggling with PTSD along with six of his war buddie. . Clarence meets a Vietnamese woman, Ann. The author sets a complicated stage about who Ann really is. Unbeknownst to Clarence and Ann, they had common ground, battle-lines were drawn.. Brilliant, suspenseful writing
******I was also quite impressed with how the author described a passionate love making scene. Took my breath away.*******
And
While reading this book I was taken back in time and I could hear “for what it's worth” by Buffalo Springfield playing as I read parts of the book as well as Hendrix playing The Star Spangled Banner at Woodstock
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. I felt part of the divide and able to move from side to side. Each was right. All is fair in love and war, or is it??
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. Life, survival an ongoing challenge
The unrest of the times of war and racial divide is defined in the stories of the lives of war vets and of color. 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 cross overs, blends and themes are fascinating.
And once again the writer brings you back onto the battlefields of Vietnam with the stench of death rising up from the pages, the explosions and gunshots and the moans and cries of the fallen - I was heart sick. I was taken back in time and I could hear Robin Williams over the radio as a the DJ - Adrian Croneaur for all the soldiers to hear him in the powerful movie “GOOD MORNING VIETNAM”