A review by black_boysread
Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson

emotional mysterious reflective sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

I absolutely adored this novel. I also enjoyed the Hulu series adaptation based on the book. However, reading the novel deepened my appreciation for the story of Coventina “Covey” Lyncook. The story delves into family issues, resentment, cultural diaspora, regrets, family secrets, and lies. The death of Elenor Bennett in present-day California leaves behind a perplexing inheritance for her two children, Byron and Benny: a black cake and a voice recording revealing family secrets that sends the children on a journey. In the recording, Eleanor shares with her children the story of a headstrong young swimmer who left her island home under suspicion of murder. As the heart-wrenching tale unfolds, she unveils family secrets and reveals to her children the existence of a long-lost child that challenges everything they know about their lineage and themselves. Will the newfound information about their mother and her past bring the once-close siblings back together, or will it leave them feeling more lost than ever before? "Black Cake" is a truly fantastic novel with beautiful writing, and it left me yearning for more. If you haven’t read it yet, I highly recommend adding it to your TBR list today.