New Review: Perfect Peace by Daniel Black
The introduction to the Peace family is the birth of a little boy to Emma Jean and Gus Peace. Emma Jean proven through the course of the book to be emotionally erratic and downright certifiable decides that after having six sons and giving birth to a seventh that she would have a daughter at any cost…even by manipulating the sex of a child.
The novel is more a series of short stories; one plot intertwined with the other to create a novel filled with robust characters and subplots. Gus Peace’s bouts with the Jordan River and its cleansing power are one of the most beautiful metaphors in this story. Most of the characters make their way to the Jordan somehow and find some sort of peace within themselves be it perfect or not. Emma Jean’s emotionally abused mind and tortured spirit threatens to destroy her husband and each one of her children in one way or another. This leaves the community of Swamp Creek’s most hypocritical Christians to pray empty prayers for the Peace family and wonder will Gus and his sons survive the woman’s mania.
The favorite character award goes to good ole Gus Peace. He did the best he could with what he had and more importantly his work ethic translated to all of his sons which proves to be the most invaluable lesson he passes down to each of them. I loved his visits to the river and moreover when he cussed something terrible as he was filled to the brim with Emma Jean’s BS.
Daniel Black’s story is wonderfully written with characters that jump off the page. NO character is insignificant to the overall story line and each play an integral part to propel the reader to an end that is bitter sweet. I gave this work four stars simply for its repetitiveness. The story also handles issues over sexuality and the many ways it could be addressed or not. The ideals and notions passed down through generations of African Americans in regard to the roles of women and men scream throughout the novel. Finally, the main metaphor in this novel will leave you questioning your own destination to perfect peace and if it’s possible to achieve.
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