What did you like most about "Deceptive Calm" by Patricia Skipper?

[Stephen Christopher 1]

I'm with Julie; now that I'm almost halfway through the book, the historical aspect has captivated me. I'm actually pausing and looking up the historical facts to learn more. Lol it's making me take longer to read the novel, but I'm learning heaps. I also love how incorrect some of Sister Rosalie's 'history' lessons are. For example, it was Thomas Heyward Jnr who signed the Declaration of Independence, not 'Daniel.' I love how she's so sure she's correct when she isn't.

[Rishaunda Lynnette Britton]

This is somewhat difficult to figure out, given that there are so many impressive aspects of this book. But I think my favorites are the characters of Rosalie, Vanessa and Trisha.

[Sarah_brannon]

[amazon=][/amazon] i thought this book offered a unique perspective that was different and refreshing!

[Anushka Surve]

I absolutely loved the bond between Sister Rosaline and Vanessa in the book! Their chemistry and interactions were so delightful, with a perfect blend of humor and heartfelt moments. Their connection entertained me and taught me valuable lessons about resilience, empathy, and the complexity of human relationships.

[Robynn Coulter]

I wanted to like this book. I felt the writing was poor and the story took to long to develop past Vanessa's youth and get to the core of the novel about her time passing as a white person. The focus of the novel was too scattered and the ending was forced. If Vanessa's early years were written more concisely and much of the historical pontificating eliminated, there would have been more time to build the story of Vanessa's adult life in a compelling way. The ending felt like an author coming up on a page count limitation and needing to wrap it up, with little regard for what might work within the story.

I was very disappointed in this book.

[Princewill Uchenna]

One aspect of this book I love is the journey Vanessa undergoes. As a light skinned Black woman, she struggled with her identity, and we could see her go through this and empathize with her.

[Varisha Khanna]

I wouldn't say it was what I liked the most, but the true reality of how people can be shallow and unjust was very clear in this movie. A women he claimed to love was suddenly worth nothing for no practical reason.
I really enjoyed how strong the main character Vanessa was. She fought tooth and nail to survive.

[Faith Williamson]

I liked how the author incorporated history while maintaining a fun approach to the book. The author's writing style is also unique, and I enjoy every part of it.

[Sheen jenny]

I really appreciated how the book captured Vanessa’s experience. As a Black woman who passes for white, she faces a lot of confusion about her identity, and the author does an excellent job of portraying her struggle to figure out who she truly is. By reading about Vanessa’s journey, I felt like I gained a deeper understanding of her emotions.

[Diana Lowery]

Most of the time I liked how the author wove the historical facts into the book, especially through Sister Rosaline, but there were some moments when I felt that they were too contrived.

[Sandra Engelmeyer]

I loved the friendship between Vanessa and Trisha. The two characters balanced each other well and I enjoy stories with strong, successful female leads. They were both successful through their individual strengths.

[Glory chukwuemezie 1]

One aspect I deeply appreciated about this book is its powerful and accurate depiction of racism against Black people. The book offers a vivid portrayal of the harsh realities faced by Black individuals, which not only underscores past injustices but also enhances my appreciation for the progress made in today’s world. While racism has not been completely eradicated, it is now less overt and is legally recognized as a crime, which marks a significant shift from the openly discriminatory practices of the past. This book has provided me with a clearer understanding of the vital role played by previous Black leaders in shaping a more just society for both Black and white individuals. It has also enriched my knowledge of historical figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and other influential leaders who fought for civil rights. The depth of the story is remarkable; each character is fully developed, and no storyline is left unresolved, reflecting the author’s exceptional storytelling skills. The book’s cover, too, is noteworthy—it adds a visual appeal that enhances the overall reading experience and perfectly complements the narrative.

[Amanda Brouillette Gladden]

I really enjoyed the character development and mini history lessons. My favorite was Sister Rosalie. The way the author wrote the dialogue, I could hear her voice in my head. She is a woman I would love to be around.

[Shirley Ann Riddern Labzentis]

Did anyone feel that this book was for Catholic or Christian readers only? I didn't feel that way. I felt that it was for all readers of all genres. I was told that I was wrong. What is your opinion?

[linda daniels]

I loved how the story just pulled you in and I left like i was really there. The ending though. I mean come on!! I needed more of a wrap up. I absolutely loved the fact she didn’t sugar coat, and for me at times, i had a hard time swallowing the stark reality of what the Black communities went through, through her writing it brings it to a harsh reality. I mean we read it and are taught it but her writing makes it so much more real where you can feel it more, at least in my opinion.