Something about Ann This was a difficult book to read. And an equally difficult book to review. I was a young woman when we were in Viet Nam. I met young men who recently had returned. I was in protest rallies against the war. The emotions are not on the surface, but I have not forgotten that time. Clarence Bankston says in the beginning, “The stink of war stays with you forever.” And Ann quotes from Buddha, “There are three things that cannot be hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.” These stories may not be factual, but they take you into the lives of Black men who lived through the war and came home to face the engrained prejudice of their home country. Raymond Williams says, “Some say war produces 100% casualties.” These men lived, stayed in touch with each other, but were all ‘casualties’ of the war. Returning home damaged. Robinson, a complicated character, feels that …show more content…
Another twist of fate. Ann, a ‘hidden’ Vietnamese warrior had vowed to revenge the lives of her slaughtered men. Bankston had been the one responsible. Yet, through a karmic meeting, fell in love with each other. Mr. T (Thompson) offers the best advice to these casualties, “If some bad things keep happening, look within. Maybe you are an accomplice to your own demise.” Dealing with emotional damage from the war, and emotional damage from home-grown prejudice, this is the key to turning it around. Our only control is our own mind. That applies to everyone. We are co-creators in this life. We create our own realities. I rate this book 4 out of 4. The characters have depth; the dialogues are believable; the writing, captivating. Who would find this book enlightening? Anyone who lived through the Viet Nam war. Anyone who is Black. Anyone who is White. Anyone who doesn’t have black friends. Anyone who wants to have a better understanding of men who have lived through a recent war. Anyone who wants to gain a better understanding of the effects of