61 pages • 2 hours read
Perfect Peace
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
341
Novel • Fiction
Arkansas • 1940s
2011
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In the rural American South during the 1940s, Perfect Peace by Daniel Black follows an African American family grappling with gender identity after the mother raises her youngest son as the daughter she always wanted. When the secret is revealed, the child, renamed Paul, faces harsh repercussions from family and community, all while navigating the complexities of identity and belonging. This book discusses racism, child abuse, sexual violence, and anti-gay bias.
Emotional
Bittersweet
Melancholic
Contemplative
Mysterious
Reviews & Readership
13,947 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Daniel Black's Perfect Peace explores complex themes of identity, gender, and family dynamics in a Southern Black community. Reviewers praise its emotional depth, poignant storytelling, and rich character development. Some critique the pacing and occasional melodrama but overall, the novel is lauded for its powerful narrative and thought-provoking content.
Who Should Read Perfect Peace?
Readers who would enjoy Perfect Peace by Daniel Black are captivated by intricate family dynamics, identity struggles, and Southern African American history. Fans of Toni Morrison's Beloved and Alice Walker's The Color Purple will appreciate its depth and emotional impact. Ideal for those interested in profound, character-driven narratives.
13,947 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
341
Novel • Fiction
Arkansas • 1940s
2011
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.