Customer Reviews

Snake Walkers

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It is hard to believe that this book was authored by a first-time writer. From the engaging twists and turns in the story line to the poetic dialogue, this book kept my attention from cover to cover. I would definitely recommend Snakewalkers and I look forward to reading more from this writer.

In J. Everett Prewitt's debut novel "Snake Walkers," an educated yet but naïve African-American reporter, Anthony Andrews, accepts a job in the early sixties as the first black employee of the Arkansas Sun, a newspaper known to have been unkind to his race throughout its history. Excited to get out of the family's mortuary business, Andrews takes an assignment to investigate the disappearance of the citizens of a rural Arkansas town. His investigation leads him to strange characters, different little towns in Arkansas, and eventually to Cleveland, Ohio.

In Cleveland, Andrews befriends the odd but close-knit Williams family to learn more about their roles in the disappearance. When he begins to build a bond with the black family, especially the college-bound Raymond, he becomes conflicted. If the family is guilty of a crime, was it justified? If so, should he reveal his discoveries to his historically racist superiors for a story that could catapult his journalism career? Having witnessed a horrific crime as a boy complicates matters even further. These are the type of ethical dilemmas the reporter must deal with as the story unfolds.

Andrews enlists the help of Carla, an intelligent and beautiful college professor with a background in history. While there appears to be a spark between them, their ideologies cause them to clash. If there is any chance of romance between the two, one of them will have to do an about face in regards to his or her beliefs about civil rights, racial atrocities, and the justification of revenge.

"Snake Walkers" is a captivating book that delves into explosive subjects such as lynchings, overt and institutional racism, and retribution. Although this is the author's debut, Prewitt clearly writes from wisdom and know-how, which will cause readers to sacrifice a few hours of sleep to read a few more chapters before bedtime.

While this book is a recommended read because of its hang-on-the-edge-of-your-seat content and original storyline, there are a few imperfections. Though the author knows his way around a metaphor, he is still guilty of telling rather than showing. Also, it's difficult not to compare the novel to better written work of the same subject matter, of recent "Blood on the Leaves" by Jeff Stetson and of old "A Party Down at the Square," a short story that appears in "Flying Home" by Ralph Ellison. With that being said, "Snake Walkers" still holds it own and should be read by anyone who enjoys a good story that takes on complicated subjects from our country's racist history.

Emanuel Carpenter
Author of "Where is the Love?"
emanuelcarpenter dot com

Although this book may be a little slow to start, keep reading. Once it grabs you, you'll be glad you stayed. First-time author, J. Everett Prewitt, makes his strong debut with a novel of racial atrocities and civil unjustice. To do this, he introduces Anthony Andrews, a black child, who witnesses a hanging. This incident haunts Anthony and guides him to become a reporter. When Anthony accepts a position a the Arkansas Sun, he believes it is because of his talents and not because he is black.

Investigating the first big assignment he is given takes Anthony to a small town abandoned by its occupants and onto Cleveland, Ohio. Over time, and with the help of the strong characters created by M. Prewitt, Anthony comes to realize how naïve he has been all of his life. There are two points of view and he needs to choose which one is his for himself. When his father confronts him, "So, you go up North, listen the ramblings of some man with a blue-collar job and no education, then come back down here to enlighten me?...I taught you to think for yourself." Anthony replies, "No, Dad. You taught me to think like you."

"Snake Walkers" takes historical facts and characters and interlaces them with fictional ones. Read the book and decide for yourself. As Harriet Tubman is attributed with saying, "I would have freed a thousand more if they knew they were slaves." J. Everett Prewitt is certainly an author to look for. I'm sure he has many more stories to bring to us.

J. Everett Prewitt is a natural story teller. I was drawn right into the story. He captured my attention from the first paragraph. The plot carries with it all the elements of conflict, romance, and intrigue.

The action is heightened by a masterful pacing of conflict and resolution. Throughout the story Prewitt maintains suspense. The story unfolds a haunting theme of mystery.

His descriptive phrases and imagery activate all five senses. I smelled the flowers, heard the twigs crackling, and felt the explosion of a gun blasting nearby. Although often graphic, Prewitt was sensitive as he described the racial tensions of the 1960s and atrocities that often went unacknowledged and unreported.

I was deeply moved by the underlying current of family loyalty, secrecy and tension. The novel gave the author a platform to enlighten in the reader a moral and social responsibility. I was deeply touched and was often struck by an emotional chord as I recognized the impact of environment and family heritage on my own growth and value formation.

The author's sensitive writing and insightful character development creates an empathy for his all his characters, the heroes and the downtrodden. Each was faced with choices based on ritual and tradition that might have an effect on the life and safety of others.

I highly recommend this book anyone consciously trying to bridge the social injustices of the past with the hope of the future. This is a brilliant, penetrating novel.

Though the title might make you think this book is about snakes, it is not. The author uses "snake" as a synonym for evil and danger. Snake Walkers is an engrossing mystery and coming of age story, partially set in Cleveland,Ohio with well developed characters and lots of surprises.

Anthony Andrews witnessed something as a child growing up in Arkansas that so traumatized him that even as an adult he suffers recurring flashbacks, nightmares, and headaches. Because there has been no news coverage of this event Anthony decides that he wants to become a reporter and majors in journalism in college. Jobs as newspaper reporters are scarce and it is even more difficult for black reporters to find work in Arkansas. He is elated when he is hired by one of the largest newspapers in the state. He is even more thrilled when asked to investigate racial atrocities that have occurred in the state. Anthony's investigation takes him from cities and towns in Arkansas all the way to Cleveland, Ohio.

Snake Walkers is as much about the strength of the black family, courage and principles as it is about a newspaper investigation. The author grabs the reader's attention on the first page and holds it until the last.

Ever wondered what it takes for a person to walk among a den of snakes without fear? While this is a philosophical question, it is in essence the theme of J. Everett Prewitt's freshman novel, SNAKE WALKERS. The book opens with a harrowing scene in which a young Anthony witnesses the lynching of a boy about his age. Not only was the crime unsolved, but was never mentioned in local newspapers or neighborhood gossip. The nameless victim of this horrendous crime haunts Anthony, he suffers from nightmares, anxiety attacks and intense fear. In spite of his father's misgivings, he vows to become a journalist so that he can be a voice for the voiceless victims of senseless crimes.

By 1962, Anthony has completed his college education, but is sheltered and naïve. His limited understanding of racial dynamics, issues of civil rights and even familial relationships all come into play as the story unfolds. After a long, frustrating job search, he finally gets a position at a small southern newspaper and eventually gets his "big break." This break is the opportunity to investigate various racial crimes and create a series of articles covering them for the paper. While investigating his first lead, he discovers a town that has been completely abandoned. In an attempt to find answers, he goes digging for information and soon realizes all of his leads point to the Coulters and the Williams families. As Anthony continues his journey to the big story, he learns that nothing is as it seems and is forced to re-examine his personal life and views.

SNAKE WALKERS is a dynamic work of fiction with a slow, deliberate pace that is reminiscent of Southern Life. The characters are well developed, colorful, flawed and each of them is transformed in the course of the story. The plot is full of twists and suspense; this adds an additional layer of richness to an already compelling work of historical fiction. Prewitt's use of language was impressive and so full of detail that I could "see" the landscape, "hear" the screeching tires, and "feel" the clammy hands and surges of adrenalin. In addition to writing a story that is enjoyable, he has created a tale that explores history, civil rights, identity, family, and community; it was simply a delight to read.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

Snake Walkers starts out where Anthony Andrews is traumatized as a child by witnessing a hanging of a boy about his own age and there is no mention of the tragedy in the newspaper. The situation leaves its mark on him-for life. So much so that he becomes the first black reporter in Arkansas, reporting on racial crimes and telling the black side of the story. The more he investigates into the facts, the more he finds information that leads him to an abandoned town. Suspense, fear and racial tension keep the reader glued to the pages. This is a story of the closeness of a strong African American family. Prewitt weaves historical events (fictional) throughout the book. This is one of the best books that I have read in a long time. If I could, I would give it six stars.

my bookclub picked this book to read because we will be meeting the author at a book conference. my expectations weren't high since this was his first book. i was pleasantly surprised and now i'm really looking forward to hearing him speak and asking questions. the book blends, social norms, history, conflict and family bonds into a great story. it got my attention from the beginning and kept it till the end.

One of the best fast moving story that I have had the pleasure of reading. From the first page to the last it was hard to put this book down. I would love to see it made into a movie. I highly recommend this book.

"Snake Walkers is a fascinating read that revisits a horrific time in history where the lives of African Americans were tragically taken by those who wanted to suppress them."

"This gripping story begins with Anthony Andrews as a young boy witnessing the heinous hanging of a young boy. A murder that he relives in his nightmares, yet he keeps it a secret. This traumatic event plays a direct part in the path his life takes."

"Years later, Anthony becomes the first African American reporter at the Arkansas Sun. He is given an assignment to investigate the mysterious disappearance of several men in the town of Evesville."

"During the assignment Anthony becomes very close to one of the families linked to the men who disappeared. The closeness he feels towards this family is no coincidence as they share something in common that will bond them together forever."

"As Anthony comes close to finding answers his life is threatened and he comes to the realization that he is being used by those who have a hidden agenda. He is forced to make some difficult decisions in order to protect his life and the lives of those he loves."

"J. Everett Prewitt has created a captivating read that becomes more and more transfixing as this story unfolds. This talented author does an outstanding job with his first release."