Review of Deceptive Calm (Barnes & Noble Edition)

[Gerry Steen]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Deceptive Calm (Barnes & Noble Edition)" by Patricia Skipper.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Are you a fan of American history? Have you ever wondered what it is like to live in an orphanage? Do you believe that racism is blatantly evil? Are you a hopeless romantic? If you answered yes to these questions, you will enjoy reading Deceptive Calm by Patricia Skipper.

Vanessa, a Black girl with light skin, was raised in an orphanage in Charleston, South Carolina, from the early 1950s to the late 1960s. This period in America was tumultuous. Vanessa's caregiver at the orphanage was Sister Rosalie, a Black nun. Sister Rosalie, every chance she got, would teach the orphans about American history related to the American Revolution, the American Civil War, the American South, and the civil rights movement.

Vanessa grew up to be a beautiful woman and could have easily passed for being a Caucasian woman. This, coupled with her lack of family connections, complicated her life. Her best friend was Trisha. They grew up together and remained steadfast friends for life. The experiences they shared will open your eyes to the various mentalities of Black and Caucasian folks in America from the 1960s to the late 1980s.

Skipper provided vivid descriptions of the story's characters and their personalities. The plot was developed gradually, and the timing of events was realistic. Suspense was created by the racial tensions of the time and the risks Vanessa and Trish took for each other. Several twists in the story kept me interested. Skipper's prose was easy to read, and the plot flowed consistently. The professional editing enhanced my reading experience. I learned a lot about American history, especially of South Carolina. I discovered what it was like to live in Charleston, South Carolina, and San Francisco, California. The ending to this story was appropriate. I did not find anything to dislike about this book. Therefore, I gave this story 5 out of 5 stars.

It is my responsibility to inform potential readers that this story contains non-borderline profanity, racist jargon, and graphic sexuality.

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Deceptive Calm (Barnes & Noble Edition)
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[Anu Anand]

Thank you for sharing this great review! This seems like an eye-opening read, especially with its vivid depiction of life in Charleston and San Francisco during such a pivotal time in American history. I love how the book delves into the American Revolution, Civil War, and civil rights movement, giving readers a strong historical and cultural backdrop.

[Elizabeth-Tush4Christ]

Thank you for sharing your review! This book truly is fascinating, and your description beautifully captures the essence of the author's work. I especially appreciate the portrayal of Vanessa, the light-skinned Black girl who faced life’s challenges head-on, from her time in the orphanage to building the life she envisioned with the support of her caregiver, Rosaline. If I hadn’t already read this book, your review would have convinced me to dive in again. I also appreciate the warning tips at the end; the book does indeed contain profanity and sexual scenes.

[Priya Murugesan]

A wonderful review, Gerry! I wasn't attracted to the book initially but your review got me intrigued. Will pick this book when I get a chance.

[Sarah Zain]

The characters is interesting, especially for that time in American history. The story's dimensions seem full of details that define that period. Great analysis of the book Gerry. Thank you

[Frank Ezekiel]

Great and captivating review you've got there.

[Lorna Kimondo]

Your review beautifully captures the essence of Deceptive Calm by Patricia Skipper, highlighting both the personal struggles of Vanessa and the broader historical context of the American South during a turbulent era. I appreciate your thoughtful analysis of the character development and your mention of the vivid portrayal of racial tensions. Thank you for such a detailed and insightful review.

[NetMassimo]

I have to say that my knowledge of American history is limited. I know the basics about issues such as racial segregation, so I could understand Vanessa's personal story and its ramifications. Thank you for your great review!

[Kshitija Sonawane]

I don't know about the USA or racism a lot, but I do know that racism is bad. A lot of things can happen in orphanages, all around the world. I applaud you for selecting this book for review. You did a great job writing this review.

[Amy Luman]

I love American history and this time period is extremely fascinating to me, possibly because I lived through it without really knowing what was going on. All of the questions that you posed at the beginning of the review are relevant to me and my experience. Thanks!

[Leona Rodrigues]

This sounds like an interesting read that enhances one's knowledge about America along with a story of an orphan filled with twists and turns! Would surely give it a try!!

[Susan Ledezma]

As a fan of American History, I have to say that I think this book is for me. It sounds extremely interesting and overall I can't find anything that I would particularly dislike about this novel. Thank you so much for this well-written review!

[Jason Axel]

You're always tagged with wonderful reviews, Gerry, aren't you? This is a good presentation of the book and a clear representation of everything it is about. Patricia Skipper did astounding work on this, and it's evident that her writing ability is exceptional. I recommend it to everyone; this is definitely one of those superb classics that pulls you into its world!

[Shirley Ann Riddern Labzentis]

Great review, Gerry! Your review was on point. I also read this book and thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Stephen Christopher 1]

Hi Gerry, I recently reviewed this book but didn't rate it as highly. I enjoyed the story but as a history buff I was appalled at the poorly researched significant historical moments, like getting the date of Dr Martin Luther King's assassination wrong, to misinformation about Jimmy Carter. I also thought the ending was rushed with all the action happening in the final chapter. It's interesting how 2 people can have different view on a book, I love that.