Perfect Peace

Book Review

• Author: Daniel Black
• Pages: 353
• Published: 2010
• Themes: Family, Secrets, Sexuality, Abuse, Gender, Religion, Mental Health

What happens when a mother, who wanted a girl child so badly, decides to trick the rest of the world, AND her child, into believing that a born boy is a girl child? “Perfect Peace” addresses the difference between gender and sex, but does all of that go out the window if YOU aren’t the one to make that choice for yourself?

“You was born a boy. I made you a girl.”

-Emma Jean Peace “Perfect Peace” by Daniel Black

Little Perfect, the apple of her mother’s eye, is the youngest of the seven Peace children, and the only girl. The Peace family is just like any other. They take care of each other, they go to church, and every now and again they fuss and fight. But they also have a secret, and only one person knows it. Emma Jean Peace tells her daughter, Perfect, that “You was born a boy. I made you a girl.” Those two sentences changed Perfect’s life forever. No longer was she the Peace Princess. Perfect had to get out to work in the fields with the rest of her brothers. And my oh my how the town talked about her when she did.

This was the first piece of work that I’d read by fiction author, Daniel Black, but it most definitely won’t be the last. “Perfect Peace” held my attention throughout it’s entirety. While the reader knows of Emma Jean’s deceit from the time they read the back cover, you can’t help but to cringe while the rest of the characters live through this lie. And figure out how to live after it’s been revealed.

Throughout the novel, you witness certain dynamics shift. Some of Perfect’s brothers doted on her when she was a young baby, but as time went on, they resented her for getting all the attention. Black also does a terrific job at revealing the many mental disturbances that can be caused by such an occurrence as well as the WHY.

By no means am I an expert on sexuality, but this book made me think about a lot of things I normally wouldn’t. I would definitely recommend this book to all THINKERS who are not afraid to discuss controversial topics.

I paired “Perfect Peace” with my RoyalVibess Perfect Peach candle and wax melt duo. Although taking place in Arkansas, this novel gave me Southern Vibess. You can smell the rural country-ness while reading. For me it was a bit nostalgic. You can purchase Daniel Black’s book “Perfect Peace” here. Would you like to purchase the hand-poured wax melts that were inspired by this book? Click here! A part of the proceeds will help keep this blog up and running!

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Have you already read this book or are you looking forward to checking it out? Let me know in the comments below!

Peace&&Blessings

TC Taylor