A review by frozel
Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson

emotional reflective medium-paced

4.0

Charmaine Wilkerson’s debut, Black Cake had been on my reading list for quite some time before I finally picked it up. It’s a pleasure to say that I’m happy that I did. 

Black Cake explores themes of identity, perseverance, forgiveness and legacy. To elaborate further, Wilkerson explores the impacts of protecting one’s identity to ensure the fortitude of not only their future, but the lives of their loved ones.

Estranged siblings Benny and Byron are called together after their mother, Eleanor, leaves them a mysterious parting gift: a black cake & a series of voice recordings revealing a hidden past. Eleanor's story, set in Jamaica, unfolds as a tale of a rebellious young woman accused of murder and forced to flee her home. As the siblings unravel more of their mother's past, they uncover secrets, betrayals, and a potential long-lost family member. Their journey takes them into uncharted territory, forcing them to confront their fractured relationship and confront everything they thought they knew about their lineage and most importantly, themselves.

Although tragic, I appreciated the exploration of the complicated and complex life of Eleanor (aka Coventina). It’s always fascinating and a learning lesson to hear another’s story, especially those riddled with strife and larger than life obstacles, that at once, seemed impossible to overcome. In the end, what’s central to this story is survival, compromise, forgiveness, legacy and love.   

Black Cake was certainly worth the read and I highly recommend others to read it too. 4/5

Extra Notes: Byron infuriated me to no end and even though Benny had her faults, I related to her deeply. I felt protective of and very much in agreement with her. No one, and I mean no one should ever feel rejected and unappreciated by the ones they love just for being who they are.