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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 This was not what I was expecting. I read this for book club. I may have different feelings after our discussion. The characters had too complicated lives. I feel like with all the turmoil that went on in the character’s lives, the end came together too nicely. Even though Eleanor didn’t have any family, her death seemed to be brushed over after the accident. This was a descriptive historical fiction and a family saga which exposed the reader to island customs and cultures.
“Question yourself, yes, but don’t doubt yourself. There’s a difference.”
“Question yourself, yes, but don’t doubt yourself. There’s a difference.”
Byron and Benny, siblings who are separated by 9 years, have not spoken to each other in 8 years. During that time, their father passed away and Benny, the younger sibling of the two, did not show up to the funeral. Now their mom, their last living parent, has also passed away but before doing so, she left a recording that reveals to B and B (Byron and Benny) secrets from her past. As B and B listen to the recording, they start to question everything they once knew about their parents including their identities. However, the truth, although painful, has a way of connecting them to new family members and brings reconciliation to an already fractured family.
I thought the story was great! The author jumps from present day 2018 to “back then”, 1965, when the events start to take motion. We also jump from the perspective of one character to another, which gives the reader a nice snapshot of each person’s thoughts. The one thing I didn’t like though was that there were some critical moments/confrontations that the author doesn’t describe. Instead, these moments happen off-page and we are only provided 2 or 3 sentences about what took place. I would have liked if the writer had instead written about these critical conversations and/or reconciliations so we could have felt more of an emotional attachment to the characters (e.g. instead of reading that the character feels betrayed and had a long conversation with so and so about it, I’d like to witness/feel that moment of betrayal and “listen in” to the confrontation/moment of reconciliation). Overall though this was a great, heartwarming book - 4 stars!
I thought the story was great! The author jumps from present day 2018 to “back then”, 1965, when the events start to take motion. We also jump from the perspective of one character to another, which gives the reader a nice snapshot of each person’s thoughts. The one thing I didn’t like though was that there were some critical moments/confrontations that the author doesn’t describe. Instead, these moments happen off-page and we are only provided 2 or 3 sentences about what took place. I would have liked if the writer had instead written about these critical conversations and/or reconciliations so we could have felt more of an emotional attachment to the characters (e.g. instead of reading that the character feels betrayed and had a long conversation with so and so about it, I’d like to witness/feel that moment of betrayal and “listen in” to the confrontation/moment of reconciliation). Overall though this was a great, heartwarming book - 4 stars!
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
A Recipe for Secrets, Family, and a Deliciously Dark Past
Charmaine Wilkerson's Black Cake isn't just a novel; it's a layered, multi-generational family saga served up with a generous helping of mystery. From the very first page, you're hooked by the enigmatic voice of the dying Eleanor Bennett, leaving behind a mysterious black cake recipe and a legacy of secrets that span continents and decades. Her children, Benny and Byron, are forced to confront their fractured past, piecing together a history shrouded in lies and omissions. Wilkerson masterfully weaves together their individual stories, revealing a complex tapestry of identity, race, and belonging. The narrative is both heartbreaking and hopeful, a testament to the enduring power of family, even when fractured by trauma and deception. Prepare to be captivated by this unforgettable story, rich in flavor and brimming with secrets that will keep you guessing until the very end. Highly recommended!
Charmaine Wilkerson's Black Cake isn't just a novel; it's a layered, multi-generational family saga served up with a generous helping of mystery. From the very first page, you're hooked by the enigmatic voice of the dying Eleanor Bennett, leaving behind a mysterious black cake recipe and a legacy of secrets that span continents and decades. Her children, Benny and Byron, are forced to confront their fractured past, piecing together a history shrouded in lies and omissions. Wilkerson masterfully weaves together their individual stories, revealing a complex tapestry of identity, race, and belonging. The narrative is both heartbreaking and hopeful, a testament to the enduring power of family, even when fractured by trauma and deception. Prepare to be captivated by this unforgettable story, rich in flavor and brimming with secrets that will keep you guessing until the very end. Highly recommended!
I was going to give this book five stars until I felt like the story wrapped up too nicely and neatly; however, the afterword by the author stated that rather than being a story about the social context of the Caribbean at that time, it was meant to be a fable. This may total sense with the way this book was written and it made me change my review back to 5.
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Xenophobia, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy
Moderate: Biphobia
Minor: Toxic relationship, Police brutality, Suicide attempt