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Beneath the Swaying Willow
Tensions are running high throughout the United States in 1970 as the anti-war movement heats up and a second wave of feminism washes over the nation.
Nora Thompson and Russ Ayers, a young couple with a bright future ahead of them, find themselves suddenly torn apart when he is drafted and deployed to Vietnam. Nora grows anxious when months pass with no word from Russ who is doing his best to serve his country and survive the hell of war.
Feeling alone and trapped by her overbearing mother's demands, the closed-minded thinkers in her small New England hometown and society's expectations of her, Nora begins to question who she is and what she wants out of life. Fate soon fills the unwanted wedge between Russ and Nora with new experiences, forever changing who they are and the trajectory of their lives.
Scars are concealed. Secrets are kept. When things spiral out of control Nora must draw upon her inner strength to stand up for what she believes in and fight injustice. It is only then that she is able to find her true self and that a secret she has been keeping is unveiled.
Beneath the Swaying Willow is a riveting account of love, sacrifice and human struggle that shines a light on the destructive, ugly side of humanity, while also showing how the courage of just one person can be the catalyst for positive change to occur.
This novel was inspired by the author's father's struggle with PTSD after serving in the United States Army during the Vietnam era, her mother's steadfast love and devotion to him during his darkest days and by a turbulent time in United States history.
Nora Thompson and Russ Ayers, a young couple with a bright future ahead of them, find themselves suddenly torn apart when he is drafted and deployed to Vietnam. Nora grows anxious when months pass with no word from Russ who is doing his best to serve his country and survive the hell of war.
Feeling alone and trapped by her overbearing mother's demands, the closed-minded thinkers in her small New England hometown and society's expectations of her, Nora begins to question who she is and what she wants out of life. Fate soon fills the unwanted wedge between Russ and Nora with new experiences, forever changing who they are and the trajectory of their lives.
Scars are concealed. Secrets are kept. When things spiral out of control Nora must draw upon her inner strength to stand up for what she believes in and fight injustice. It is only then that she is able to find her true self and that a secret she has been keeping is unveiled.
Beneath the Swaying Willow is a riveting account of love, sacrifice and human struggle that shines a light on the destructive, ugly side of humanity, while also showing how the courage of just one person can be the catalyst for positive change to occur.
This novel was inspired by the author's father's struggle with PTSD after serving in the United States Army during the Vietnam era, her mother's steadfast love and devotion to him during his darkest days and by a turbulent time in United States history.
256 pages, Paperback
Published July 23, 2024
About the author
Amily D'Nas
1 book7 followersAmily D'Nas was born and raised in Southern New England and now calls South Florida home.
She is a graduate of Bristol Community College, Northern Arizona University and earned her MBA from the University of Massachusetts.
Amily is a member of the Women's Fiction Writer's Association and Writer's Cafe writing group in Parkland, FL.
Beneath the Swaying Willow is her debut novel which she began writing as part of a healing journey to try to understand and make peace with her father's struggle with PTSD and his soldier suicide after serving in the United States Army during the Vietnam War era.
She is a graduate of Bristol Community College, Northern Arizona University and earned her MBA from the University of Massachusetts.
Amily is a member of the Women's Fiction Writer's Association and Writer's Cafe writing group in Parkland, FL.
Beneath the Swaying Willow is her debut novel which she began writing as part of a healing journey to try to understand and make peace with her father's struggle with PTSD and his soldier suicide after serving in the United States Army during the Vietnam War era.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 4, 2024
UNDER THE SWAYING WILLOW is a historical fiction that explains some of the atrocities of war that exasperated PTSD in many of our returning service personnel . While dealing with the often overlooked or misunderstood disability, D'Nas has us look at Russ and his family and friends to see how they are all affected. Although there is no happy ending, I feel this story helped me and can help others to understand the importance of PTSD and the need for better mental health care for all .Bernie Lamkin
August 14, 2024
I really enjoyed this book! I usually decide within a few chapters if I connect with the characters enough to want to continue. This book grabbed me right away. The characters were very relatable, and real. I know a few people who have served in Vietnam and reading the experiences and treatment of Russ was heartbreaking. His relationship with Nora, and Nora’s relationships with her friends was very believable.
Tackling PTSD, suicide, and the treatment of our Vietnam vets upon their return…. and handling it with such care on her pages, the author really captured the events and emotions of the time.
Tackling PTSD, suicide, and the treatment of our Vietnam vets upon their return…. and handling it with such care on her pages, the author really captured the events and emotions of the time.
August 12, 2024
This debut novel is a page turner. The author does a great job introducing the reader to the critical characters. She draws you in to the point where you develop feelings for the characters. I found myself rooting for Russ & Nora and despising Viviane. The turn of events in Russ’s life were so relatable and visceral. I don’t want to give anything away. But, all I can tell is buy this book and make it your summer read.
July 19, 2024
WOW, this was an awesome debut novel by a local South Florida author whom I hope to meet to discuss her book! Inspired by true events about her father's struggle with PTSD after serving in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, and the sacrifices suffered by her mother's love and devotion to him, Amily D'Nas has written a passionate story of a painful time in our nation's history, and her attention to detail and character development prove she's got the literary prowess of the likes of Kristin Hannah and Jodi Picoult.
The 'love triangle' between Nora, Russ and Brant was a sad but not uncommon result of the war, when men are away from their wives and girlfriends for sometimes years at a time. The story also touched on the almost non-existent acknowledgement of the Vietnam vets as they returned to the states. There were no "Welcome Home" parades, they were called "baby killers", denied jobs and even denied access to veteran's benefits because they were told Vietnam was not a 'real war.'
Only one scene had me doubting reality: Nora seemed to enjoy losing her virginity at night on the beach on a blanket in the sand. I can't speak for other women, but I certainly wouldn't feel romantic with sand on certain naked body parts..........
All in all, I was quite impressed with this novel, and appreciate the author telling this difficult story that I will encourage all Americans to read.
The 'love triangle' between Nora, Russ and Brant was a sad but not uncommon result of the war, when men are away from their wives and girlfriends for sometimes years at a time. The story also touched on the almost non-existent acknowledgement of the Vietnam vets as they returned to the states. There were no "Welcome Home" parades, they were called "baby killers", denied jobs and even denied access to veteran's benefits because they were told Vietnam was not a 'real war.'
Only one scene had me doubting reality: Nora seemed to enjoy losing her virginity at night on the beach on a blanket in the sand. I can't speak for other women, but I certainly wouldn't feel romantic with sand on certain naked body parts..........
All in all, I was quite impressed with this novel, and appreciate the author telling this difficult story that I will encourage all Americans to read.
May 24, 2024
I found Amily D’nas’ debut novel “Beneath the Swaying Willow” emotional, entertaining, enlightening, and important.
The story wove relatable characters through their intertwined lives in a small New England town and highlighted in a believable story all their humanness and imperfections.
It was a love story that brought you into the main character, Nora’s life through all its twists and turns. Her sacrifices, her relationships with friends and family, and her loyalty to a man that needed her.
Amily did not shy away from the difficult subject of PTSD and suicide, making you feel the gut-wrenching circumstances and feelings the characters were dealing with, in a way that brought tears to my eyes at the end. Very riveting, I didn't want to put it down! She was able to convey what war veterans go through in their struggles to return to life after war, what is waiting for them on their return home, and how that may differ from what they left, in a way the reader felt an understanding to the character Russ. She told a story of how life continues, but never in the same way, and how nobody ever really knows what is in someone else's head.
With the subject of suicide, she was able to convey the hopelessness someone feels before they take their own life.
Thank you, `Amily D’Nas for bringing this story to life and boldly addressing the too often stigmatized subject of mental health in all its rawness.
Christine Rizza
Training and Outreach Director
Samaritans Southcoast Suicide Prevention
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June 10, 2024The attention to details relevant to era, be it setting or issues of the time, is highly commendable. The author adeptly balances humor, deep emotions and the complexity of life. Especially if you grew up in the late 60’s, early 70’s, you may have a recollection of the events and prevalent attitudes within the story occurring within your community. Even if you did not, if you have ever known someone who has struggled with mental health issues or difficult relationships, you will surely be able to identify with the main characters. Minor characters are well developed, help drive the plot and are very likely to remind you of someone you know. If you are a fan of the writing craft, literary devices are well executed throughout the story. I frequently found myself trying to predict events, only to find that it did not end as I expected. A highly commendable inaugural offering for a promising new author.
May 21, 2024
I highly recommend “Beneath the Swaying Willow”. This book not only instantly grabbed my attention, but I also became immediately invested in the characters lives and I couldn’t wait to read on to find out what would happen next. For me, my investment in the book was two fold. First, I was caught up with the relationship between the main characters and secondly, and maybe even more importantly, I was stunned by the treatment of our Vietnam Veterans on their return to the US. This book really gave me a better insight into what these men and their families have had to suffer through.
May 21, 2024
In her debut novel, D’Nas paints a beautiful yet tragic portrait of the struggles faced by American GI’s, and their loved ones, upon returning home from the Vietnam War. Told through the love story of Russ and Nora, and the family and friends by whom they are surrounded, this novel will take you right back to that fractious time in American History when young men were drafted away from their families, sent to a jungle half-way around the world and returned home one or two tours later as mere shells of their former selves. To a time when external chants of “peace and love” were quickly replaced by internal screams, night terrors and hallucinations due to the horrors these soldiers witnessed. Russ and Nora’s story gives readers a detailed look at the dangers of misdiagnosed mental illness, the shame and stigma that often surrounds it and the never-ending battle fought by both the injured and the caregivers who love them.
August 22, 2024
The juicy plot of this novel, set in the 1970s era, gives us a main character, Nora, in a difficult position, torn between love and duty. It addresses serious issues, including the nation’s poor treatment of soldiers returning from Vietnam, veterans’ PTSD, addiction, domestic violence, and suicide, but it isn’t a dark book; the struggles are balanced with moments of love and connection. The author has clearly done her research to include period details to help bring setting alive.
Nora matures and grows and struggles to do the right thing, and the reader travels along with her, hoping for the best for all the characters. The final scene, while not a conventional happily-ever-after, is a satisfying close to the journey.
Nora matures and grows and struggles to do the right thing, and the reader travels along with her, hoping for the best for all the characters. The final scene, while not a conventional happily-ever-after, is a satisfying close to the journey.
August 13, 2024
Beneath the Swaying Willow by Amily D’Nas is compelling historical fiction that stays with you long after you finish the last page. A love story under the tragic shadow of the personal impact of war on soldiers and those who love them, this stunning debut reveals the complexities that surface at the intersection of love, war, and family. From the start, Nora is a sympathetic protagonist, yet when she finds herself entangled in a love triangle, there is no clear path forward. D’Nas skillfully portrays the emotional toll of war and the impact of antiwar sentiments of the 1970s on soldiers returning home. Beneath the Swaying Willow will leave you breathless and wanting more from D’Nas.
June 10, 2024
Once I started reading this book I couldn’t put it down. Through a backdrop of a young, hopeful romance the author depicts the shameful way America and the world treated our Vietnam vets, the tragedy of not honoring the men and women who served their country and the effect on their families and loved ones when they came home broken and lost. She also shows us that despite the ugliness and heartbreak Iove perseveres and life goes on. I see you, I hear you, I love you.
May 24, 2024
Being a Vietnam Veteran myself I was curious to see how the author would handle a story about a veteran with PTSD! I was actually impressed what she wrote. I felt she knew what she was talking about. I liked how the story flowed, the character description and also the scene design. All in all I found it very interesting and an enjoyable read.
May 21, 2024
Great perspective on the aftermath of war. Interesting point of view of PTSD and the problems our soldiers and their loved ones faced when returning from an unpopular war. Well written and researched. Highly recommend.
May 29, 2024
I really enjoyed,the debut novel “Beneath the Swaying Willow “. Amily D’Nas captures the real truth about the real struggles of American soldiers returning from the Vietnam War.The story is entertaining,informative and emotional. I highly recommended it!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews