Review of Deceptive Calm
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Valeria_Corrales
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- Latest Review: Deceptive Calm by Patricia Skipper
Review of Deceptive Calm
[Following is a volunteer review of "Deceptive Calm" by Patricia Skipper.]
“Deceptive Calm” tells an incredible story in a particularly difficult time for the United States. The protagonist, Vanessa, suffers in her own flesh the consequences of a discriminatory society. A light-skinned girl raised by a nun in a Catholic orphanage for people of color in Charleston, the uncertainty of her origins will be a cause for debate among people. After a series of unfortunate events, she changes her name using the birth certificate of a white baby, ignoring the unexpected consequences that this decision will have on her future.
The story and different anecdotes are narrated so flawlessly that it’s not complicated to immerse yourself in the plot. Don't forget to mention the excellent editing of the book. I didn't see any grammatical errors at all while reading, which makes the previous point. But the real spirit of this narration is the characters.
My favorite of them is Sister Rosalie. Despite her strong temperament and obstinacy, she is a dedicated nun devoted to the children in the orphanage, and her love for Vanessa, to the point of considering her as her own daughter, is touching. Of course, we can’t forget her incredibly large knowledge of Charleston and American History, making her a living history book.
Vanessa, Trisha, Barry, and many other characters felt authentic and humane. Their loyalty, honesty, and perseverance are constantly tested, and each one reacts in a particular way to the same events. While reading, I realized that regardless of their good or bad decisions, every character is nothing more than the product of the education received and their personal circumstances.
I will give this book a rating of 4 out of 5. For me, this is one of the best books I've read recently. The narration is awesome, and the character development kept me hooked to the story. However, I would suggest a small glossary of idioms and expressions in order to explain their social relevance at that time, since not all readers come from the U.S.
But I understand that the main objective of the author is to focus on the emotions of the characters and how they influence the events in the book, more than providing an exact description of every aspect as in the case of a reporter.
In conclusion, if you are looking for a story with historical references, romance, suspense, along with heartwarming moments and discussion of social problems, this book is for you. The author does an excellent job of getting you involved with the characters, keeping you at the edge of your seat, wondering if their choices will be the best or not for them.
******
Deceptive Calm
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
“Deceptive Calm” tells an incredible story in a particularly difficult time for the United States. The protagonist, Vanessa, suffers in her own flesh the consequences of a discriminatory society. A light-skinned girl raised by a nun in a Catholic orphanage for people of color in Charleston, the uncertainty of her origins will be a cause for debate among people. After a series of unfortunate events, she changes her name using the birth certificate of a white baby, ignoring the unexpected consequences that this decision will have on her future.
The story and different anecdotes are narrated so flawlessly that it’s not complicated to immerse yourself in the plot. Don't forget to mention the excellent editing of the book. I didn't see any grammatical errors at all while reading, which makes the previous point. But the real spirit of this narration is the characters.
My favorite of them is Sister Rosalie. Despite her strong temperament and obstinacy, she is a dedicated nun devoted to the children in the orphanage, and her love for Vanessa, to the point of considering her as her own daughter, is touching. Of course, we can’t forget her incredibly large knowledge of Charleston and American History, making her a living history book.
Vanessa, Trisha, Barry, and many other characters felt authentic and humane. Their loyalty, honesty, and perseverance are constantly tested, and each one reacts in a particular way to the same events. While reading, I realized that regardless of their good or bad decisions, every character is nothing more than the product of the education received and their personal circumstances.
I will give this book a rating of 4 out of 5. For me, this is one of the best books I've read recently. The narration is awesome, and the character development kept me hooked to the story. However, I would suggest a small glossary of idioms and expressions in order to explain their social relevance at that time, since not all readers come from the U.S.
But I understand that the main objective of the author is to focus on the emotions of the characters and how they influence the events in the book, more than providing an exact description of every aspect as in the case of a reporter.
In conclusion, if you are looking for a story with historical references, romance, suspense, along with heartwarming moments and discussion of social problems, this book is for you. The author does an excellent job of getting you involved with the characters, keeping you at the edge of your seat, wondering if their choices will be the best or not for them.
******
Deceptive Calm
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Deceptive Calm by Patricia Skipper
