Review of Deceptive Calm

[Huini Hellen]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Deceptive Calm" by Patricia Skipper.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Patricia Skipper’s Deceptive Calm attempts to vividly paint a picture of a typical Black girl in 20th-century America. The author illustrates how not only would the odds be against a Black girl but also how the situation would worsen if the girl were a mulatto. Vanessa was raised in Saint Paul’s Orphanage after being left at the orphanage on October 10th, 1952. Sister Rosalie was volunteering at the orphanage then; after seeing the abandoned child, she gave up her career dreams and instead opted to remain in the orphanage, where she raised Vanessa and other Black children.

Like every young girl, Vanessa fell in love with Barry, whom she had schooled with. Their relationship, built on the foundation of love, led them down paths neither had ever imagined. Will love prevail? How will Vanessa’s physical appearance impact her adult life? Check this book to find out.

I award this book five out of five stars. I found only two grammatical errors, indicating professional editing. I loved how Patricia vividly described each action in the book, especially scenes that significantly advanced the plot. Her use of cliffhangers to build up the racial tension that existed between the Whites and Blacks demonstrated how unsafe society was, thanks to racial segregation.

Patricia also highlighted the gender bias that historically existed in America. By tracing Vanessa’s career progression, readers see how women were unfairly denied opportunities they would otherwise excel in. The friendship between Vanessa and Trisha solidified the significance of childhood friendships, particularly when they persist into adulthood.

I commend Patricia for also portraying the evils caused by abusive marriage partners. She meticulously showed how premarital blues might cloud one’s judgment of their partners, only for them to end up later regretting getting into marriage. Thanks to Sister Rosalie’s excellent character development, I also enjoyed learning about America’s historical account of the Civil War of Secession.

There was nothing I liked the least about this book. I recommend it to readers who love romance fiction laced with historical accounts. However, the book is unsuitable for younger and sensitive readers owing to its graphic descriptions of violence, sexual acts, and the use of racial slurs.

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Deceptive Calm
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[Williams Jaden]

Patricia Skipper's Deceptive Calm vividly explores the struggles of a Black girl navigating life in 20th-century America, weaving a poignant tale of love, identity, and resilience shaped by societal and personal challenges.

[Stanley Abwova]

I have seen this book several times now. I think it was book of the month at one point, I just never took interest but I'll definitely look it up now. Thanks for the honest review

[Pauline Mukakimenyi]

Deceptive Calm by Patricia Skipper is a gripping historical fiction novel that delves into themes of race, identity, and societal norms. Set in the 1960s South, the story follows Vanessa, a light-skinned Black woman who assumes a white identity after enduring racial trauma. The book explores her struggles with belonging, friendship, and self-identity in a racially divided society.

Critics praise the novel for its complex characters and emotional depth, with some highlighting the suspenseful twists and nuanced portrayal of societal issues. However, a few reviews mention predictable elements in the plot. Overall, it is regarded as a thought-provoking read that sheds light on racial discrimination and resilience during a turbulent era.

If you're drawn to stories with strong historical and emotional underpinnings, this book is worth exploring.

[Corie Irving]

Patricia Skipper’s Deceptive Calm masterfully captures the struggles of a Black girl in 20th-century America, intertwining themes of racial tension, gender bias, and love.

Through Vanessa’s journey—from her abandonment at Saint Paul’s Orphanage to her complex adulthood—the narrative explores societal injustices, abusive relationships, and the enduring impact of childhood friendships. Skipper’s vivid descriptions and well-paced cliffhangers keep the reader engaged while shedding light on historical issues like segregation and the limitations placed on women.

Despite its heavy themes and graphic content, the book delivers a poignant and thought-provoking story, earning it a well-deserved five out of five stars.

[SL S]

I was not a huge fan of this book. While the premise was interesting, I think the book could have used a thorough editing to address the excessive exposition and improve the overall flow of the story. This was very much a story where the author took a tell-don't-show approach, and I think the storytelling suffered for it. I also wish an editor had combed through to make the prose flow more naturally - lines like "I do not know about that" wouldn't generally be said by a person in normal conversation; they'd be more likely to say "I don't know." I also would've liked to see the characters fleshed out more - it often felt like there was a jump between a character wishing something to that thing happening, without any explanation as to how we got there.

That said, I did like the premise of the book, as well as the chosen settings - I'm from Charleston myself, so I was thrilled to read a story set in my hometown in a time during which I was not yet alive.

[Nati Jiniya]

Thank you for this beautiful review! The book sounds interesting and unique, I'd love to give it a try. I don't have much experince with this genre, so it would be adventurous.

[Joe Alex 2]

From the review, Deceptive Calm sounds like a powerful and emotional story that dives into racial identity, gender bias, and tough life choices. I like that the book doesn’t just focus on romance but also explores real struggles like discrimination and abusive relationships. The way the author builds suspense and brings historical events into the story makes it even more interesting. It seems like a well-written and engaging read, but with its mature themes, it might not be for everyone.

[Rebecca De Figueiredo]

I enjoyed reading the review, and found it informative and useful. The book is one of those genres that cause the reader to think about the state of how things were, and have these aspects really changed…..

[Sharon Young 1]

Deceptive Calm is one of the reasons why I continue with the OBC emails. I was first intrigued because part of the story is set in Charleston, SC (I have lived here since 1991), but the story drew me in. What IS the current politically correct term for someone who is half black and half white, anyway? The passage of sickle cell trait from a half-black mother to a quarter-black child also caught my attention. Yes, it's possible for a white person to have sickle cell trait, it's just rare. Thanks to the author for this compelling book.

[Lauren Stjohn]

Deceptive Calm has all the aspects of a great historical story line bouncing the various struggles and triumphs between the characters. Growing up in the South, I witnessed personally many of the struggles existing many years after Martin Luther King. The story provides a narrative opening the door of the human soul to kindness and compassion. Thank you for the variety of reviews.

[Mr Benj]

"Deceptive Calm" by Patricia Skipper, a book that features a black girl and the Amaerican society. It will be enthralling to read about how she grew up in the orphanage and her diverse experiences. An interesting book to read.

[Diamond Igwesi]

Thanks for your clear and concise review.
I skimmed through the samples and another thing I would say I loved is the light vocabulary used in the book. No complex sentences with huge words in them.
I most likely would read the book for the racial and historical factor discussed than for the romance factor.
Congrats on BOTD.

[Leen282]

The book touches upon important topics such as gender bias and racial tension. It will be interesting to read the historical background of growing up as a black girl in the 20th century, and compare how much of it still exists nowadays. Will love really prevail?

[Sushan Ekanayake]

"Deceptive Calm" by Patricia Skipper is a riveting blend of history & heart. Vanessa’s journey as a Black woman in 20th-century America—navigating love, racial tension, & gender bias—will grip you. A must-read for fans of layered historical fiction. Congratulations on being BOTD!