Reviews tagging 'Terminal illness'

Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson

55 reviews

d0lly's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Terminal illness and Suicide attempt

Minor: Rape, Racism, Police brutality, and Slavery

davidrb's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was the first book I was able to finish this year, and it was devastating. It's just as much a mystery as a family drama, and engaged me like nothing else. It got to the point where just the title of a chapter/the return of a character's POV made me gasp. Highly, highly, highly recommend. Don't be daunted by the length: it flies by. (That said, it's extremely heavy!)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Pregnancy, Racism, Rape, Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Colonisation, Abandonment, Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Grief, Misogyny, Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Violence, Biphobia, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, and Xenophobia

With regards to "police brutality": antiblack systemic racism by the police is a recurring theme. No violence is shown directly, but the possibility is discussed in detail.

leahrosiee's review

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book was so beautifully written. 
Family dynamic can be difficult to read but the author beautifully displayed the duality of each family member. Disagreements and misunderstandings abound as these siblings find out their parents dark and mysterious past, as well as their true identities. 

Read for Bad Bitch Book Club

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical trauma, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Classism, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Grief, Murder, Pedophilia, Police brutality, Racism, Sexual harassment, Terminal illness, and Violence

Moderate: Trafficking and Addiction

Minor: Colonisation, Stalking, and Medical content

syddsmiles1024's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Biphobia, Bullying, Death of parent, Death, Grief, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Terminal illness

sarahkate22's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

On its face, Black Cake is a multigenerational family drama about two siblings learning for the first time of their mother’s history. However, it’s much more than that, exploring rich Caribbean tradition, complex relationships, survival, friendship, food, and the sea. Without giving too much away, this book really hit its stride around the 25% mark and I was hooked from then on. However, the beginning was a bit complex and slow for me. By the end of this book, I felt compelled to explore my own family history and record my traditions. And of course, I want to try the titular Black Cake. I absolutely loved these characters and this story will stick with me for a long time. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abandonment, Colonisation, Classism, Biphobia, Xenophobia, Terminal illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Murder, Misogyny, Grief, Death of parent, and Death