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This is a discussion topic for the August 2024 Book of the Month, "Deceptive Calm" by Patricia Skipper.

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

Among all the other themes, I thought that the theme of friendship and kinship spoke the loudest in this novel. The friendship between Vanessa and Trisha was moving. I really liked how Trisha always supported Vanessa, even if she had doubts about what Vanessa was doing. The theme of kinship, especially shown in how Trisha's sister Barb was so convinced that her sister was alive, also stood out to me. I liked how the novel demonstrated a supportive family dynamic.
What are other themes that people saw?

One of the themes of this story is the importance of perseverance. Vanessa perseveres in her pursuit of a better life despite facing many setbacks in life. When things don’t go as she anticipated she creates a new path forward and keeps moving. Her determination in the pursuit of her goals is very admirable.

I found multiple themes in the book.

1. Racial Identity and Tension: The story is set against the backdrop of 1968, a period marked by significant racial tensions in America. The protagonist, Vanessa, a light-skinned Black woman, grapples with her identity and the societal challenges that come with it.

2. Belonging and Acceptance: Vanessa's journey highlights the universal human desire for acceptance and belonging. Her struggle to fit into different societal roles and communities is a central theme¹.

3. Friendship and Loyalty: The bond between Vanessa and her friend Trisha, who faces her own set of challenges, underscores the importance of friendship and loyalty in overcoming adversity.

4. Resilience and Survival: Vanessa's life is marked by numerous hardships, including a Ku Klux Klan attack and personal losses. Her resilience in the face of these challenges is a key aspect of the narrative.

5. The Impact of the Past: The story illustrates how one's past can shape their present and future. Vanessa's attempt to escape her past by assuming a new identity ultimately leads to new complications.

These themes are woven together to create a compelling narrative that resonates with readers on multiple levels.

I'd say that friendship and kinship was the theme that I adored the most. There were other themes but these two specifically spoke to my heart.

While I agree that there are many themes in this book, the one that stood out the most to me is that there is probably no longer any such thing as a "pure" race.

There are several notable themes in the book. Among them, the resilience and survival instinct of the protagonist appeal to me the most. These themes shape their character and drive the plot forward. The friendship and kinship also play important role in the story, making it an interesting and fulfilling read.

One theme I think that occurs throughout the book is the willingness to make changes to make one's life better and more meaningful. Vanessa does this when she changes her identity and moves to California. She might not have done it in the best way but her intention was to make her life better.

There is also a theme of exploring or not exploring sexuality that runs throughout the book. The Catholic influence is very strong for Vanessa and she pretty much does not explore her sexuality until she meets Tod. She is basically passive about her sexuality; her discovery happens because someone else initiates it. Barry and Trisha do explore other relationships and Trisha, who didn't grow up with as much religious instruction, participates in a threesome.

I think another common kinship/bond is the struggle women faced during this time period in their careers. It was hard to be taken seriously in the workplace and even harder to climb the ladder within the company as a woman. They both had a common thread of never giving up.

It's the human desire to look for acceptance and fit in in a society. We, as humans, may do many things to feel that acceptance, no matter how hard we try to hide or deny it. It also features a good example of a good friendship. The support and love you get from your friends are remarkable.

I found the themes of racial identity and social acceptance to be at the fore front in this novel. They were explored well though I would have liked a deeper dive into these topics as well!

Thank you all for all the insightful replies that tell people like me (a prospective reader) the themes of this seemingly great book. My first impression of the book was the book's title and the cover, which are so relevant and well-blended to capture the reader's attention and to want them to learn more about this book.

Now, I know (with its themes of racial identity/tension, friendship, loyalty, resilience, and much more) that this book seems richly complex with information worth reading.

Thank you all for your informative replies.

There is a central theme of resilience and the will to live as Vanessa goes through a lot, including extreme cases of racial violence and personal losses, but she soldiers on. Finally, the one where the past impacts heavily: Vanessa, in her quest to run after her past and leave it at bay, only lands herself in new complications, and how almost all of her past impacts her now and in her future. The themes blend into a poignant and reflective piece.

The themes of perseverance and survival stood out to me the most. She was born without options and she chose to fight rather than give up on life, it's sad that how the past still has a way of coming after you.

Nikhil Mishra 2 wrote: ↑15 Aug 2024, 08:01 There is a central theme of resilience and the will to live as Vanessa goes through a lot, including extreme cases of racial violence and personal losses, but she soldiers on. Finally, the one where the past impacts heavily: Vanessa, in her quest to run after her past and leave it at bay, only lands herself in new complications, and how almost all of her past impacts her now and in her future. The themes blend into a poignant and reflective piece.

I had the same thought in mind, she was really resilient and it's hard to find a woman willing to go to such lengths at such a time when all odds were against her.