Voices from the Block: A Legacy of African American Literature

by Ann Fields, Toyette Dowdell, Bennye Johnson

A collection of unforgettable short stories, poems and essays from emerging and established writers, members of the Writer's Block. These original works are guaranteed to stroke your heart, mind and soul as they reveal in written form the very essence of life. Prepare to read about the ups and downs of marriage, the emotional trauma of being without child, the questionable mental state of writers, the regrets of murderous decisions, mother-daughter life patterns, and so much more. By selecting and reading this offering, you've made a decision to laugh, learn, cry; to be offended and soothed; and to scale the range of light and dark emotions. So sit back, get comfortable, and enjoy the experience.

168 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 18, 2014

About the author

Ann Fields began her writing career in 1995 with the publication of her first romance novel, After Hours. Since then, Fields has published three additional romance novels, Second Time Around, Love Everlasting and Give and Take. Fuller’s Curse is her most recent full-length work and it marks her debut in the paranormal genre.

Fields also has published in non-fiction, authoring the book Stop Stalling and Write as well as numerous articles which have appeared in Teen Graffiti, Basic and other magazines.

Her short stories have been published in Lyrical Darkness; Voices from the Block; A Legacy of African-American Literature and Bouquet: A Delightful Collection of Mother’s Day Romances.

Visit Fields online at www.annfields.com, https://twitter.com/ann_fields and www.facebook.com/AnnFieldsAuthor.

Reviews

[Carol Balawyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Voices From the Block is an anthology of stories and poems written by seven African-American women. The main thread throughout this collection is Love. Love in all its forms: the tender awakening love of a daughter towards her mother. “She placed a hand over her heart, and in the unfilled moments that followed, I noticed Mother’s hands. Really noticed – the length of her fingers, the white crescent-shape of her cuticles, and the darkened knuckles.”

The choice a man must make for the love of his wife and child. “He’d made some mistakes in the past, but that didn’t mean he had to keep making them. He could change his life, and prove that there was such a thing as redemption.”

The love of a mother for a still- birth child. “Anna named her baby Grace. Despite her anger at the unfairness of it all, Anna felt gratitude. She had been allowed to carry her baby in her heart and womb for 7 ½ months.”

The letting go of toxic love: “I’m only asking women to be smart about how, who and why they love.”

And then there’s the fear of being a black male. “I’m sure Grandmother saw the death of innocence in my eyes but that didn’t stop her. She went on saying, “I know white folk ain’t havin’ this same talk at they dinner table with they twelve-year-old sons. They probably passin’ on family history and business ways and other learnin’s, but us colored folks…”

The dialogue is sharp as shown in the story Tea with the First Lady while the poetry is smoking hot. "Barely clinging to sanity least it disappear, Please quell this churning madness I fear. It’s cruel to be a prisoner within."

These seven women can write. “Smoke hung around his neck like a fur collar.”
“I couldn’t remember the last time I’d read a book or identified the constellations through my telescope or toured small towns in the hill Country. And yet, those were some of the things that made me feel alive…”
“She leaned forward, kicking off her loosely tied white oxfords to free the bunions on her stocking feet, then reached down to rub the deep creases left around her swollen ankles from the tight hosiery.”

I’ve said enough. Just go read it.

[Barbara Tsipouras · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great variety of stories and poems written by African American women. Until recently I hadn't consciously read any "Black Literature" but if this anthology is representative I love it.

As typical for anthologies not all the texts will touch you the same but here you'll find some real jewels. Most but not all stories you could call christian, some deal with racism, others with relationships, some are funny and some sad - always authentic and full of warmth.

I got a free copy in exchange for an honest review.