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marsmcel's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
i liked this a lot! i can totally see why some people struggled with the writing style and pacing, but I felt like the chapters went by quick. I really enjoy multi-generational stories where you get to follow a butterfly effect of sorts, and I think I'll be ruminating on generational trauma and the lens we look at our family members/their actions through for a bit after finishing this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, and Death
Moderate: Terminal illness, Suicide attempt, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
internationalreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
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
annamay1021's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Abandonment, Police brutality, and Alcohol
Moderate: Terminal illness and Rape
falltumn's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Racism
Moderate: Misogyny, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy
Minor: Biphobia, Terminal illness, and Alcohol
sambolin's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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? No
4.0
Black Cake is a story of generational survival and loss and what it takes to heal. Spanning years, a myriad of characters, and a mixture of flashbacks, recordings, and present day we learn the story of Eleanor Bennett- how she came to be and the life she lived- as well as of those closest to her. All tied by the tradition of black cake- a recipe and piece that cannot be taken away from anyone. This book weaves the stories of so many people and so many cultures eloquently and seamlessly. A page turner- it’s easy to follow despite its continual changing POV. I loved learning more about Caribbean culture. The varied perspectives-and how their identities shaped their perspectives was brilliantly written, heartbreaking, and heartwarming. Every character feels well rounded and elicits empathy. I was fully immersed in the story throughout- even not being a normal genre for myself and some of the heaviness of the topics. Highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, and Terminal illness
ruthypoo2's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
I truly enjoyed this book and found that I liked it more and more as the story evolved. The book is told from multiple points of view and in differing timelines, written in very short chapters that are brief vignettes of what happened at particularly critical times in the life of the many primary characters.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
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
nialiversuch's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
slow-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Bullying, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Addiction, Death of parent, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Toxic relationship
strwberidaquiri's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
The author's ability to weave so many different forms of injustice and trauma into one story is incredible, as it demonstrates how situations are never simply because of "one" problem. Thought-provoking book, definitely recommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Police brutality, Racism, Rape, Abandonment, Homophobia, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, and Suicidal thoughts
kelly_e's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
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
4.25
Title: Black Cake
Author: Charmaine Wilkerson
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 4.25
Pub Date: February 1, 2022
T H R E E • W O R D S
Layered • Delectable • Memorable
📖 S Y N O P S I S
In present-day California, Eleanor Bennett’s death leaves behind a puzzling inheritance for her two children, Byron and Benny: a black cake, made from a family recipe with a long history, and a voice recording. In her message, Eleanor shares a tumultuous story about a headstrong young swimmer who escapes her island home under suspicion of murder. The heartbreaking tale Eleanor unfolds, the secrets she still holds back, and the mystery of a long-lost child challenge everything the siblings thought they knew about their lineage and themselves.
Can Byron and Benny reclaim their once-close relationship, piece together Eleanor’s true history, and fulfill her final request to “share the black cake when the time is right”? Will their mother’s revelations bring them back together or leave them feeling more lost than ever?
💭 T H O U G H T S
After a few 'Read with Jenna' misses, I was hesitant to read Black Cake, Charmaine Wilkerson's debut novel. With a little urging from some wonderful ladies in my online book club, I decided I must give it a try, and am so glad that I did.
Yes, it took me awhile to settle into the story, but once I was invested, I was all in. There's a touch of mystery to this character driven, multigenerational debut. The writing is precise, the structure is strong, and the characters are well flushed out. There are so many layers to the complex family history that really showcases the messiness that is family.
There are a lot of characters combined with shifting time periods and places, which came across as jumbled at time, and meant I often found myself needing to go back to catch something I'd missed. At other times, it felt slightly repetitive, and certainly longer than it needed to be.
One of my biggest takeaways was reflecting on the role and importance food plays in our lives. Food is one of those cross-culture, non-verbal ways of communicating with and taking care of the ones we love. Of showing we care. Of keeping our history alive. This narrative also showcases how betrayals, secrets, memories, and even names, are passed down through the generations, and how it all shapes the past, the present and the future.
Black Cake is a journey through the life of a family changed forever by the choices of its matriarch. I was left asking myself how this was a debut novel? Charmaine Wilkerson is a writer to watch and I cannot wait to see what she writes next.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• readers with diverse tastes
• multigenerational saga lovers
• fans of food in books
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Question yourself, yes, but don’t doubt yourself. There’s a difference."
"More people’s lives have been shaped by violence than we like to think. And more people’s lives have been shaped by silence than we think."
"The people who love us the most have the power to hurt us the most too."
Author: Charmaine Wilkerson
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 4.25
Pub Date: February 1, 2022
T H R E E • W O R D S
Layered • Delectable • Memorable
📖 S Y N O P S I S
In present-day California, Eleanor Bennett’s death leaves behind a puzzling inheritance for her two children, Byron and Benny: a black cake, made from a family recipe with a long history, and a voice recording. In her message, Eleanor shares a tumultuous story about a headstrong young swimmer who escapes her island home under suspicion of murder. The heartbreaking tale Eleanor unfolds, the secrets she still holds back, and the mystery of a long-lost child challenge everything the siblings thought they knew about their lineage and themselves.
Can Byron and Benny reclaim their once-close relationship, piece together Eleanor’s true history, and fulfill her final request to “share the black cake when the time is right”? Will their mother’s revelations bring them back together or leave them feeling more lost than ever?
💭 T H O U G H T S
After a few 'Read with Jenna' misses, I was hesitant to read Black Cake, Charmaine Wilkerson's debut novel. With a little urging from some wonderful ladies in my online book club, I decided I must give it a try, and am so glad that I did.
Yes, it took me awhile to settle into the story, but once I was invested, I was all in. There's a touch of mystery to this character driven, multigenerational debut. The writing is precise, the structure is strong, and the characters are well flushed out. There are so many layers to the complex family history that really showcases the messiness that is family.
There are a lot of characters combined with shifting time periods and places, which came across as jumbled at time, and meant I often found myself needing to go back to catch something I'd missed. At other times, it felt slightly repetitive, and certainly longer than it needed to be.
One of my biggest takeaways was reflecting on the role and importance food plays in our lives. Food is one of those cross-culture, non-verbal ways of communicating with and taking care of the ones we love. Of showing we care. Of keeping our history alive. This narrative also showcases how betrayals, secrets, memories, and even names, are passed down through the generations, and how it all shapes the past, the present and the future.
Black Cake is a journey through the life of a family changed forever by the choices of its matriarch. I was left asking myself how this was a debut novel? Charmaine Wilkerson is a writer to watch and I cannot wait to see what she writes next.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• readers with diverse tastes
• multigenerational saga lovers
• fans of food in books
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Question yourself, yes, but don’t doubt yourself. There’s a difference."
"More people’s lives have been shaped by violence than we like to think. And more people’s lives have been shaped by silence than we think."
"The people who love us the most have the power to hurt us the most too."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Lesbophobia, Abandonment, Homophobia, Biphobia, and Death
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Violence, Physical abuse, Murder, Domestic abuse, Police brutality, Mental illness, Alcoholism, Addiction, Hate crime, Pregnancy, Rape, Racism, Toxic relationship, Slavery, Misogyny, Xenophobia, Suicidal thoughts, and Classism
Minor: Cancer, Colonisation, and Terminal illness
ksuazo94's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Grief
Moderate: Addiction, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Suicide attempt, Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Terminal illness, and Racism
Minor: Death of parent, Colonisation, Medical trauma, Domestic abuse, Biphobia, and Police brutality