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readingwithmyeyes 's review for:
Black Cake
by Charmaine Wilkerson
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.