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internationalreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Abandonment, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Pregnancy, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Grief, Medical content, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Gun violence, Police brutality, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Rape
ktdakotareads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Grief, Medical trauma, Abandonment, Classism, Infertility, Medical content, Murder, Racism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, and Rape
ruthypoo2's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The story opens by introducing one of the mysteries that drives the narrative of the story, set in 1965 with Johnny "Lin" Lyncook discovering that his daughter, Coventina, has disappeared suddenly from her wedding venue. The story then moves to current day where two estranged siblings, Byron and Benny, have come together following the death of their mother, Eleanor Bennett. The recorded message their mother leaves for them will take Byron and Benny on a path of revealing a familial history their mother, and father, chose not to share with them when they were still alive.
The three of them sit there silently for a moment, thinking of small but profound inheritances. Of how untold stories shape people's lives, both when they are withheld and when they are revealed.
I found this story to be that much richer because of the large cast of characters and how they added personality and intrigue to the story. Especially because of the short chapters, I enjoyed how jumping back and forth among various timelines was easy enough to follow and made the story move at a pretty brisk pace. Though a little bit of a slow burn at the beginning, I was pulled into the story as a variety of little mysteries unraveled throughout the book via the revelations shared on Eleanor Bennett's recorded message, and then via Byron and Benny's research into their mother's life story.
The atmosphere captured in the book was intoxicating when describing coastal life set in the mid-20th century life in what was then known as the West Indies. Most of the narrators in the book are colorful and vibrant women who represent a zest for life, love of family, and the enduring bond of sisterhood. The power of ancestry and culture is also a running theme, with the art of making the black cake a tangible example of how people associate with traditions and our lives can be a beautiful recipe of many influences, such as our family and the foods shared or used as a form of celebration.
I very much liked the conclusion of the story and how things wrapped up for those still surviving, having been brought together both through shared and found family. The physical and digital editions of the book contain an Author's Note, a Book Club Guide that includes a Letter from the Author, and finally, "Eleanor's Black Cake Recipe." Having these extras really elevates the reading experience for me... and I'm tempted to try out that black cake recipe some day!
I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrators, Lynnette R. Freeman and Simone Mcintyre, did a fantastic job infusing all the characters with personality and emotion.
Moderate: Terminal illness, Colonisation, Death of parent, Racism, and Classism
Minor: Death, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
katbrookhart's review
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Homophobia, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Racism, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
seforana's review
- 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
4.0
Moderate: Sexual violence, Racism, Alcoholism, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, and Abandonment
thecriticalreader's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Abandonment, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Suicide attempt, Biphobia, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Cancer, Colonisation, Murder, Alcoholism, and Violence
Minor: Stalking, Rape, Police brutality, Misogyny, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Murder, Xenophobia, and Slavery
torturedreadersdept's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Biphobia, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Racism, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Cancer, Chronic illness, Colonisation, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Abandonment, Addiction, Alcoholism, Misogyny, Rape, and Sexual assault
zwe's review
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Abandonment, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Rape, Alcoholism, Car accident, Gaslighting, Murder, and Pregnancy
haleybyman's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Abandonment, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
jaynovara's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Biphobia, Death of parent, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Rape, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Cancer, Suicide attempt, Colonisation, Murder, and Slavery