Deceptive Calm, a historical fiction by Patricia Skipper, is a splash-landing underneath the United States of America’s everyday life during the years darkened by savagely orchestrated post-slavery mentalities, and driven by a deliberate propensity for rough racism against Black people. A vicious circle where everyone who calls for civic rights is systematically terrorized, traumatized, or killed: Martin Luther King Jr., Malcom X, John Kennedy, and Bobby Kennedy, to name a few. Having Negroid blood flowing in one’s veins alone is enough to incur the death penalty. Not even mulattoes are spared from harm, in a blend of racial differences, romantic ups and down, and historical facts that come together to create a potent, violent, and emotionally jarring mix.
The author spotlights Vanessa Condon, a stunningly beautiful offspring of a Black and White parent, who is one among the huge number of victims of racism who are looking for paths to bypass the social rules and breathe new air. She found herself abandoned by her biological parents at the door of an orphanage dedicated to Black people. Despite her light skin and her silky hair that make her look like a White, Vanessa will manage to change her race on her papers. Vanassa Condon becomes Vanessa Vaughn through the use of a stolen birth certificate belonging to a deceased White baby, which will allow her to enter a new universe. But success isn’t always as close as we might think.
In search of restful peace, she instead embarks on a series of disappointments that lead her down a deadly path. The worst begins when she gives birth to a baby suffering from sickled cell disease, a clue that proves Vanessa is African American. In an environment where Black people are not tolerated, this will trigger the sentence of her death and that of her child. Will both victims survive?
I strongly suggest reading this beautiful book and discover how the Ku Klux Klan and other racists enjoy traumatizing Black people. You’ll also be interested to discover Trisha Bibbs, that White woman who is willing to sacrifice herself for the Blacks, and her role in Vanessa’s fight for survival. Will Vanessa escape the evils that follow her into a world where she thinks she will find joy and serenity? Trauma, authoritarianism, contempt, spite, malice, rejection, and more follow her daily. Will the predictions made about Vanessa's life by Maniqault - a mysterious old man with his teeth pulled and his scary Juju stones - come true? What will happen to the group of malicious people behind the planning of the assassination of honest citizens living in San Francisco? How did Cliff and Blair, two smart detectives, maneuver to turn a closed case into one of the greatest successes of their careers? What role plays the weathered-looking Hispanic gardener, that illegal alien with his inseparable dilapidated truck, in the progression of the story? You can’t wait to read this extraordinary book.
The author succeeded in creating an action-packed, easy-to-understand story with captivating characters who seem to be in the right place at the right time.
After reading this book, I am satisfied and eager to reread it to relive the immense happiness it provides. The language is accessible to all while avoiding vulgarity.
As for the negatives about the book, I notice that the chapters are unbalanced. Some are a little too long compared to others. Additionally, many of the details recounted about American history are not directly related to the book's central theme of racism or the course of action. Fortunately, none of this detracts from the book's beauty, which remains as captivating as ever.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. The reason is that, in my opinion, the author hurried to conclude the story in the last few chapters, providing less detail than usual. Readers interested in both historical settings and romantic storylines will enjoy this book.