Sister Rosalie

Use this forum to discuss the August 2024 Book of the Month, "Deceptive Calm" by Patricia Skipper.
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David Paul Hurd
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Sister Rosalie

Post by David Paul Hurd »

This is not usually the genre of book that I would read. But I want to be an active member of the book club so I did.
I really liked the book. Thinking back I wanted to find out if anyone else felt such love for the character
of Sister Rosalie. It was great character development and to have a sentimental feeling about a character
well after I finished the book is a tribute to Patricia Skipper. At first she appears annoying and everyone calls
her such. But as one continues reading, her words and actions become endearing. She gave up a career in
being a professor of History to serve God and as a nun at the Black Orphanage she played a huge roll in many
children's life path. Something about Vanessa (I believe there is a back story that is never revealed) The subtle
hints of a such a backstory adds to Vanessa's aura of mystery and deepens Sister Rosalie's character. I thought it
was so poignant the way Vanessa always referred to the nun as "Mother". Even though people found her constantly
going on about the history of Charleston, especially during the Civil War era, when she passed away the flood of people that came to pay their respects was huge. I feel I would love to have met her and got a big hug! What she had
to go through as a Black woman in the south in the 60's is unimaginable to me. I graduated from a high school in Wilmington, DE in 1969 and Vanessa graduated in 1968. I was very naive and had no idea what was going on racially at the time in the deep south. There was indeed "Deceptive Calm" in the place I grew up as to what was coming although in my area the riots did not spread out of downtown Wilmington so I didn't experience anything personally. In conclusion, I would consider the character of Sister Rosalie to be worthy of sainthood.
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Cesiah Guerra
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Post by Cesiah Guerra »

Yes, Sister Rosalie, was one of my favorite. She was full of energy and with a great heart. It was sad she died. It was nice that the author included a description of her own mother and the inheritance she left behind for Vanessa.
cindyk56
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Post by cindyk56 »

Sister Rosalie was awesome and gave Vanessa a home and life. There was a lack of depth on the development of their relationship.
Faith Katherine Daniels
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Post by Faith Katherine Daniels »

She was my all time Favorite character. I loved her the most. What an excellent sense of humor.
Yin Jiang
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Post by Yin Jiang »

I think Sister Rosalie was an interesting character, if a little annoying. It felt like she was a person that was socially awkward, but had a big heart. I agree with the opinion that there was not too much in the book to fully explain her relationship with Vanessa.
Andrew Darlington
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Post by Andrew Darlington »

I very much agree with you. She really kept me flowing with the story and she remains my favourite character.
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Ashwini Tawade
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Post by Ashwini Tawade »

What she says is like a punch. She is so lively. Her character feels authentic. It's heartwarming to read what she says and does.
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Francis Omotayo Aderogbin
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Post by Francis Omotayo Aderogbin »

What pained me most is the death of Sister Rosalie. Initially, I had almost a neutral feeling towards her. However, as I read on, I found myself loving her because of what she is doing to change the life of those kids in her charge. It's difficult to not notice her character.
You are yet to be the best version of yourself. Keep refining.
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Chinazo Anozie
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Post by Chinazo Anozie »

While I had mixed feelings about Sister Rosalie, I appreciated all she did for and meant to Vanessa. Although overdone at times, I also enjoyed the historical facts about Charleston, which the author used her character to share to readers.
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Post by Stephanie Cameron »

I enjoyed Sister Rosalie as a character. She showed vast amounts of strength and kindness in the story. I really liked the historical aspect that Sister Rosalie added to the story.
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Alice Fu
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Post by Alice Fu »

Rosalie was a person who was absolutely wonderful. Her huge heart and love for Vanessa truly grabbed at me and she has permanently left an imprint on my mind
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Gerry Steen
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Post by Gerry Steen »

Sister Rosalie was my favorite character. I felt sad when she passed away. I was looking forward to the story with her character lasting through the whole story. Her boisterous personality had my attention from the get go. Her love of history and the children she cared for was all encompassing. :techie-studyinggray:
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Christopher Jaramillo
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Post by Christopher Jaramillo »

I liked sister Rosalie and how she was a big part of Vanessa's life the way she cared for her and gave up the life she wanted to make sure this child was taken care of. She was not one to sit back and not take action she reminded me other characters who were bigger than life. It was sad how she died and how that had an impact on Vanessa's future.
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Louange Masiga
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Post by Louange Masiga »

What a woman! To toss out a possible career for the love of an abandoned baby is something else. The repetition of history stuff was a little annoying but I guess it was just part of who she was.
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Yasmine ZM
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Post by Yasmine ZM »

Sister Rosalie has a very strong personality. She appears annoying with the way she imposes herself in every situation; but I think that in an environment like that where they are segregated against as being black and as being a woman, she had to be a little louder to get what she needs.
The love she shows for all the kids in general is commendable. The mere fact that she dedicates so much time teaching them and making them laugh is commendable. She has their best interest at heart. She has a good heart and she is mentally strong! I liked her character.
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