‘War Sonnets’ focuses on Fredonia resident
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"The Americans came closer, their voices louder now, as if they were unconcerned about attack. Tadashi kept his body still, held his breath, and hoped they would pass by without noticing him. The soldiers tramped through the kunai grass, its rough leaves swishing against their uniforms. They were close. Too close and there was nowhere to hide. Tadashi had to decide--life or death. Honor or disgrace." -- "War Sonnets"
In the fall of 1942, 21-year-old Allen Benton received his draft notice. A college freshman, he had planned to enlist through a campus recruiter, ensuring he would remain stateside. Fate intervened and his draft notice arrived before he could enlist. He would spend his time in the United States, the Philippines, and Japan, returning home in February 1946.
Incorporating his war poetry, "War Sonnets" is a fictionalized retelling of his experiences that focuses on the emotional toll war takes on all of us.
After his return from service, Sergeant Benton completed his college education at Cornell University in Ithaca where he earned BS, MS and PhD degrees. He taught at SUNY Albany for 13 years and at SUNY Fredonia for 22 years, where he was the first professor to receive the New York State Distinguished Teacher award.
Susannah Willey is a retired School Technology coordinator and Special Education Teaching Assistant. She has a Bachelor's degree in Instructional Computing and a Master's Degree in Instructional Development and Design.
For more about Susannah Willey and War Sonnets, visit www.utterloonacy.com
Praise for the book includes:
¯ "Ms. Willey does an amazing job capturing the emotions and interactions of the people involved as well as the historical facts about the war." -- The Historical Fiction Company (5-star award for excellence, 2022 Book of the Year finalist)
¯ "A moving, dual POV novel set in the Pacific theater of WWII that doesn't shy away from the complex emotions and relationships forged on the battlefield. Inspired by her uncle's poetry, Willey not only creates a richly detailed, compelling story highlighting the true cost of war but also cleverly uses sonnets and haiku to frame her novel. Readers won't be able to put it down, Erin Litteken, international bestselling author of "The Memory Keeper of Kiev and The Lost Daughters of Ukraine."