What themes can be found in "Deceptive Calm" by Patricia Skipper?

Use this forum to discuss the August 2024 Book of the Month, "Deceptive Calm" by Patricia Skipper.
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Yasmine ZM
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Re: What themes can be found in "Deceptive Calm" by Patricia Skipper?

Post by Yasmine ZM »

There were so many themes mentioned in Deceptive Calm. To list a few: friendship, racial inequalities, gender inequalities in society as well as in the professional environment, violence, politics, kinship, segregation, courage and resilience, love, betrayal, death and loss... Some themes are very much contemporary such as abortion laws, gender inequalities, socio-economic status, abuse,...
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Mellisa Hornes
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Post by Mellisa Hornes »

Several themes combined in one made this book a stand-out read. My favorite themes are survival, racial tension, pre-civil era, lies, deceit, betrayal, and crime.
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Post by João Ramos »

One of the most fascinating aspects is that the author managed to combine many themes in a cohesive and intelligent way. Among these themes, we can mention friendship, abandonment, sexism, racism, selfishness, elitism, and lack of scruples.
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Post by Qwerty Writes »

Among the many many themes in the book itself, I'd say, racial prejudice and how people should not be defined by their color. And how a woman should not be confined to a single job spectrum. I'd also say love but in terms of friendship and why self-acceptance is something that can lead to your own happiness.
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Post by Josephine Carnes 1 »

Friendship and loyalty is what spoke the loudest to me in this novel along with the themes of sexual assault, racism, and abortion. I think the author did very well with the relationship between Vanessa and Trisha.
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Post by Sonia Longras »

Deceptive Calm by Patricia Skipper explores themes such as racial identity, societal inequality, and resilience. Set against the backdrop of the civil rights movement and the turbulence of interracial marriage, it touches on historical issues of race, sexism, and inequality. The narrative dives into the challenges of identity transformation and the personal and social consequences of such decisions, blending romance, mystery, and historical elements into a rich, action-packed story.
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Post by Sarah Zain »

Friendship and how it plays out in the story is always one of the things that attracts me in any story. Also the idea of facing the past or escaping from it always give stories impact.
Life is hard on its own so let's make it easier for each other if we could.
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Post by Trindade Carvalho »

"Deceptive Calm" addresses several deep and relevant themes. The book intensely explores the issue of racial identity, examining how we define ourselves and how we are seen by others. The theme of family secrets is dealt with in an impactful way. The author doesn't hesitate to address issues of prejudice and discrimination, showing their effects on people. There's also significant discussion about social classes and privileges. Additionally, the characters face complex moral dilemmas. Although these are heavy themes, they provoke important reflections on society and our place in it.
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Post by Shiru Elizabeth »

The value of persistence is one of the story's themes. Despite several obstacles in her path, Vanessa never gives up on her goal of living a better life. When things don't work out the way she planned, she forges forward and doesn't stop
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Post by kimberlybest »

I think that the theme I notice is connecting to the right person brings happiness while connecting to the wrong person brings heartache. Relationships are important and can be nurtured or abused and neglected. This book represents this idea very well.
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Post by Sheen jenny »

Themes of love, racism, prejudice, betrayal
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Post by Nenye Charles »

The two major themes that stood out for me are the themes of racism and friendship. I fact, racism is the strongest of them all, as the racists in the book could clearly go through any length to eliminate it from their bloodline.
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Post by Laura Shawn »

Deceptive Calm explores themes of love, sacrifice, friendship, loyalty and resilience. It shows how characters face challenges and grow through their experiences. The book also highlights the importance of kinship and the impact one person can have on others’ lives.
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Post by Nneka Bridget »

"Deceptive Calm" by Patricia Skipper explores themes such as racial tension, civil rights, personal identity, social justice, and resilience. The story delves into the struggles of African Americans during the 1960s and 1970s, highlighting the complexities of racial inequality and the fight for justice. Additionally, themes of love, family, and survival are woven into the narrative, adding emotional depth to the historical context.
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Post by Ambar Gill »

There were multiple themes within this story:
-Racial identity and tension
-Friendship and relationships
-Perseverance
and I'm sure there are many more.
Ambar Gill :angelic-flying:
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