Title: Perfect
Peace: A Novel
Author: Daniel Black
Publication: March 16, 2010
Publisher: St. Martin‘s Press
Source: Library
Genre: Adult
Audience: 17 and up
Summary
The heartbreaking portrait of a large, rural
southern family’s attempt to grapple with their mother’s desperate decision to
make her newborn son into the daughter she will never have
When the seventh child of the
Peace family, named Perfect, turns eight, her mother Emma Jean tells her
bewildered daughter, “You was born a boy. I made you a girl.
But that ain’t what you was supposed to be. So, from now on, you gon’ be a boy.
It’ll be a little strange at first, but you’ll get used to it, and this’ll be
over after while.” From this point forward, his life becomes a bizarre
kaleidoscope of events. Meanwhile, the Peace family is forced to question
everything they thought they knew about gender, sexuality, unconditional love,
and fulfillment.
My Thoughts: This is a story of unconditional
love, survival, and finding oneself. Daniel Black has done an excellent job of
creating realistic characters and a storyline to keep readers turning the
pages. All Emma Jean has ever wanted is a little girl. Emma Jean wants to give
her daughter everything she never had. After giving birth to her seventh son Emma
Jean is desperate for a daughter and does the unthinkable to achieve her goal.
The entire time I was reading
this story I had mixed feelings toward Emma Jean. Even though her motives were
selfish Emma Jean did her best for her family. Her methods are extreme yet
logical; in a crazy kind of way. Of course, Emma Jean spoils Perfect (I think
she is Emma Jean’s favorite) and is over protective, but with a secret as big
as this one, she has to keep all her bases covered.
It was interesting to see how
the family dynamics changed once Emma Jean tells that Perfect is as boy. It was almost like watching a monster truck
rally. You know the cars are going to get smashed but you just can’t help but
to keep watching (well, reading.) I was surprised at how some of the family
treats Perfect afterwards. Emma Jean has forever changed her family. You will
have to read this to see how it all turns out.
I am intrigued by this and is on my list whenever I can get it down. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds extremely intriguing. Thanks for this review.
ReplyDeleteOh, this is the book you were talking about. This is going on my list too. I agree with everyone else, this sounds intriguing and I have to read it.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting read and am intrigued by the storyline! Will have to add it to the TRL!
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