Review of Deceptive Calm
-
Sheridan Chaney
- Book of the Month Participant
- Posts: 5
- Joined: 19 Dec 2022, 22:22
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 0
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-sheridan-chaney.html
- Latest Review: Deceptive Calm by Patricia Skipper
Review of Deceptive Calm
[Following is a volunteer review of "Deceptive Calm" by Patricia Skipper.]
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Deceptive Calm is a historical fiction novel set in the 1960s and 1970s in South Carolina, amidst social upheaval, shifting cultural mores, and racial tension. The novel explores issues of race, identity, societal expectations, and self-reinvention through the experiences of a young woman named Vanessa. Vanessa is a light-skinned Black woman who takes on the identity of a deceased baby in a bid to escape the racial violence she endures. The novel follows her from orphanage to joining a wealthy, upper-class family and offers readers a clear and sometimes scorching picture of the sacrifices made for survival and social class ascension.
The author's adept work in bringing to life a rich and realistic past world is Dickensian. The characters are well-developed and complex, and their inner turmoil and conflict are real. Vanessa's own character development is compelling in that she demonstrates both the strength she is capable of as well as the raw emotional toll of her choices. The timing is well balanced throughout the book, and the emotional payoffs are pitch-perfect, especially in the most significant conflict and introspective scenes. The writing is contemplative and descriptive, drawing the reader into the cultural moment.
I did not notice a single typo or grammatical error in the whole book, which is rare and a good sign. Editing is flawless and permitted an error-free professional read. You can tell that great care was taken during the production process.
That being said, I did have some issues. Although I do recognize the need to incorporate some of the language and situations to be true to the era, the outright use of racial epithets and the manner in which some of the Black women were spoken to in general made me cringe. These moments sometimes took me out of the book, breaking the emotional investment I had in the story. While the discomfort was possibly intentional—to make one think or to mirror stark realities—it still served to diminish my overall pleasure.
Additionally, because of the extremely emotional content, widespread profanity, and the very thematic nature of the book, I would be wary of recommending the book in general. Sensitive readers to racial trauma issues or oppressive systems need to read this novel with caution. Even for someone like me, who is used to reading very emotional novels, there were sections of the book that were challenging to get through.
Overall, I’m giving Deceptive Calm 4 out of 5 stars. It's a powerful and well-written novel with flawless editing and a gripping narrative, but the emotionally taxing content and the occasional jarring portrayal of characters prevent me from giving it a perfect score. With that said, for readers who can handle its difficult themes, this book offers a deeply thought-provoking and memorable experience.
******
Deceptive Calm
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Deceptive Calm is a historical fiction novel set in the 1960s and 1970s in South Carolina, amidst social upheaval, shifting cultural mores, and racial tension. The novel explores issues of race, identity, societal expectations, and self-reinvention through the experiences of a young woman named Vanessa. Vanessa is a light-skinned Black woman who takes on the identity of a deceased baby in a bid to escape the racial violence she endures. The novel follows her from orphanage to joining a wealthy, upper-class family and offers readers a clear and sometimes scorching picture of the sacrifices made for survival and social class ascension.
The author's adept work in bringing to life a rich and realistic past world is Dickensian. The characters are well-developed and complex, and their inner turmoil and conflict are real. Vanessa's own character development is compelling in that she demonstrates both the strength she is capable of as well as the raw emotional toll of her choices. The timing is well balanced throughout the book, and the emotional payoffs are pitch-perfect, especially in the most significant conflict and introspective scenes. The writing is contemplative and descriptive, drawing the reader into the cultural moment.
I did not notice a single typo or grammatical error in the whole book, which is rare and a good sign. Editing is flawless and permitted an error-free professional read. You can tell that great care was taken during the production process.
That being said, I did have some issues. Although I do recognize the need to incorporate some of the language and situations to be true to the era, the outright use of racial epithets and the manner in which some of the Black women were spoken to in general made me cringe. These moments sometimes took me out of the book, breaking the emotional investment I had in the story. While the discomfort was possibly intentional—to make one think or to mirror stark realities—it still served to diminish my overall pleasure.
Additionally, because of the extremely emotional content, widespread profanity, and the very thematic nature of the book, I would be wary of recommending the book in general. Sensitive readers to racial trauma issues or oppressive systems need to read this novel with caution. Even for someone like me, who is used to reading very emotional novels, there were sections of the book that were challenging to get through.
Overall, I’m giving Deceptive Calm 4 out of 5 stars. It's a powerful and well-written novel with flawless editing and a gripping narrative, but the emotionally taxing content and the occasional jarring portrayal of characters prevent me from giving it a perfect score. With that said, for readers who can handle its difficult themes, this book offers a deeply thought-provoking and memorable experience.
******
Deceptive Calm
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Deceptive Calm by Patricia Skipper
