You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-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
One of my highest rated books of the year. For how many plot lines and POVs I felt attached to everyone. The author is so empathetic and compassionate to her characters. The ending is so moving and satisfying.
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What an incredibly beautiful book, a story about stories. Our lives are not just our own, but a compilation of all the people, and their experiences, that have shaped us. Wilkerson does a phenomenal job weaving a very complex storyline together, a series of monologues, flashforwards and flashbacks. Though there were MANY characters and SO many names I never really got lost(that's how you know that Wilkerson is a great author) just a bit confused about how one life can create a ripple effect for generations to come. There was truly never a dull moment, and I was fiercely flipping the page, ready to devour what was on the next page. I read this audiobook, which I'm not sure if I had to do again I would, but it did add a bit of challenge, which is not always a bad thing. Not to mention,but the writing is truly breathtaking, it was sophisticated, multilayered, and filled with literary techniques that conveyed the messages and themes of the book. Reading this book makes me think of my history and ancestry and their lives, whether they are spoken of or not, their legacy lives on.
Black Cake By Charmaine Wilkerson is a family history drama with a unique voice from a debut author. Black Cake is on Goodreads' and Amazon's Best of 2022 So Far list, which is a reason I checked it out. Black Cake is a pretty ambitious debut novel with over 15 different perspectives, and it makes sense. Wilkerson writing to her credit did not make me feel like I was reading a brand new author more in the middle of seasoned pro. My biggest complaint of new authors is forced dialogue but it is avoided here. The flow of the story is a little disjointed as the narrative is telling a life in the past and a couple lives in present day at the same time. I loved the ending for this story so much, and it fixed a big hole in the story for me. The story itself is interesting and I have not read many stories of the Caribbean, so I loved the detail and insights. My biggest complainant for the story is I did not connect with one of main characters, I felt they were unfinished and saw no joy from the character. This book has of LGBTQ characters that are represent well one better than the other. Black Cake was published on February 1 2022.
The Plot Summary: Eleanor Bennett has passed away her lawyer has invited her son and Daughter to watch a video farewell that is really a confession. That Eleanor Bennett did not exist and her past has been a lie, and her children have a secret sister. She tells the tale of how all this happened and dark family secrets that made Eleanor the good mom that she was. Her two kids have not seen each other in years they have to come together and meet this new sister as their mother's dying wish for them all to use the last Black Cake their mother made for the occasion.
What I Liked: he writing is really good I liked the dialogue, the descriptions, and the interesting way that the story was set up. I love the full circle writing and how everything was explained at the end and it wrapped all the storylines up. I like the metaphor of the Black Cake and how it served as the only thing from Eleanor's past that she got to keep and it was thing she got to pass on to her daughters. The ending was really great and was a great reveal for one of the characters. I liked the story's little twist and turns that were very subtle but effective.
What I Disliked: The writing style I ultimately called really good took a little while for is too make sense. I do have to suspend belief that her kids did not know that their mom was half black / half asian. I did not like the character of Byron, I feel so much was on Benny that his story was unfinished. I saw no joy from that character, when there was moments of joy to be had.
Recommendation: I recommend you check out this new voice in storytelling. This story has all, drama, romance, family secrets, and betrayal. I will read the next Charmaine Wilkerson novel.
I rated Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson 4 out of 5 stars. I really solid first novel.
The Plot Summary: Eleanor Bennett has passed away her lawyer has invited her son and Daughter to watch a video farewell that is really a confession. That Eleanor Bennett did not exist and her past has been a lie, and her children have a secret sister. She tells the tale of how all this happened and dark family secrets that made Eleanor the good mom that she was. Her two kids have not seen each other in years they have to come together and meet this new sister as their mother's dying wish for them all to use the last Black Cake their mother made for the occasion.
What I Liked: he writing is really good I liked the dialogue, the descriptions, and the interesting way that the story was set up. I love the full circle writing and how everything was explained at the end and it wrapped all the storylines up. I like the metaphor of the Black Cake and how it served as the only thing from Eleanor's past that she got to keep and it was thing she got to pass on to her daughters. The ending was really great and was a great reveal for one of the characters. I liked the story's little twist and turns that were very subtle but effective.
What I Disliked: The writing style I ultimately called really good took a little while for is too make sense. I do have to suspend belief that her kids did not know that their mom was half black / half asian. I did not like the character of Byron, I feel so much was on Benny that his story was unfinished. I saw no joy from that character, when there was moments of joy to be had.
Recommendation: I recommend you check out this new voice in storytelling. This story has all, drama, romance, family secrets, and betrayal. I will read the next Charmaine Wilkerson novel.
I rated Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson 4 out of 5 stars. I really solid first novel.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes