I grew up with a mother who told me often about the black cake made in her Caribbean homeland. It honestly sounded awful to me. A sticky cake packed with old figs and dates and bitter alcohols. But for years, I watched her soak her fruit in jars of rum, adding a splash of brandy here, a handful of raisins there. She taught me how to bake, and continues to teach me to trust my instincts in the kitchen as her mother and grandmother taught her.

Black Cake follows two siblings as they listen to their mother’s final words and the story of her journey from the islands to sunny Southern California. They discover that much of their pain is not new. They learn that parents are people, that some truths don’t ever see the light of day, and that family can be full of betrayal and love at the same time.

I picked up this book because I thought I knew what I was getting into. I thought maybe someone wrote a story about my mother, about me. Maybe someone wrote a story about having a complicated past, about kids being confused about where their people come from. About looking strange, having murky genetics. About living with a parent who longs to go home. I thought I might be picking up a book about racism, about colonization, about cultures being stolen and blended beyond recognition.

This book is all that and then some. It’s an exhaustive and colorful fable about love and lies, about loyalty and luck. My mother is maybe the luckiest and unluckiest person I’ve ever met. And I saw that sentiment echoed back at me in the pages of Black Cake. I saw how the histories and narratives of an entire people have been distilled down to “being exotic” and “being foreign” and frankly being misunderstood. And how that interpretation is projected onto them, and how hard it is to break free of it.

There are parts of Black Cake that seem far fetched. There are a lot of characters, a lot of names that change and shift over time. There are a lot of sad facts masked as fiction. The writing could be tighter, more judicious. But the fact is, anyone who has heard these stories from the mouths of their main characters knows that Black Cake, and the real lives it reflects, are tales that last a life time. They unravel through decades, through children and the children of children. They unspool in deathbed confessions and DNA tests and “your mother’s cheekbones” and “your father’s eyes.”

I found each character believable. I found them sympathetic. I found them impassioned in a way I know to be real. More than anything, I found myself staring back at me from these pages, and that’s truly one of the greatest gifts of literature - representation, acknowledgment, truth.

I might compare the scope of this novel to something like Pachinko. Both authors understand the value of lineage, the necessity to explain that where we come from directs where we go.

Whether you come from a long line of black cake bakers or whether you’ve never heard of delicacy, I highly recommend picking up this book. You may learn something about a time and place and people you never thought to consider. At the most, you may develop a compassion for circumstances unlike your own, for those of us who do not fit neatly into the boxes set out for us.

I enjoyed this story. I like how it goes through the mother's whole life that led up to when she married the kids father. It was a bit hard to follow sometimes because it was so back and forth so I did give it 4 stars in stead of 5. It was an enjoyable read and I alternated the audiobook which was also very well done! Along with telling the women's story, it goes into how hard it was coming from the islands and "fitting in" or getting opportunities in the US as well as other countries. It was also fun to know about the black cake and it made me go look up a recipe ! Overall very enjoyable and I would recommend!

This family drama is so well written that it is hard to believe it’s a debut novel. The set up for the book is that a woman named Eleanor has died, and when her adult children come home for her funeral, her lawyer plays them a recording talking about her life, comprised almost entirely of people and stories they have never heard of. Interspersed with this are portions from each of her children’s perspectives, set both in the past and present, and the occasional chapter from other people’s perspectives as well. With lots of characters and jumping around in time, and in place from an unnamed Caribbean Island and London in the 1960s, and California in the 2000s, it definitely was a lot to take in at first, but ultimately so worth it.

This was definitely a slow starter, but became deeper and more resonant as it went along, with a last quarter or so of the book which was so moving that I found myself crying multiple times.

4.5 stars.

5⭐
What an amazing debut! I absolutely loved this story and the characters! In the present day in California, we meet Benny and Byron, estranged siblings who reunite when their mother – Eleanor Bennett – dies. Eleanor leaves behind a traditional Caribbean black cake (that she believes they will know when it’s time to share), and a recording that details her life’s journey (literally and figuratively). It turns out that maybe Benny and Byron didn’t know much about their mother’s life before them…

With flashbacks to the past in the Caribbean and London, we learn about Eleanor’s life right along with Benny and Byron. There are secrets, betrayals, mysteries, emotions, memories – all drawn together with beautiful writing and well-developed characters. This multigenerational story will appeal to readers of so many genres. I highly recommend this beautiful book! (BONUS: Black Cake is in development as a Hulu original series!)

Thank you so much to @randomhouse and @netgalley for an advanced eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. I can’t wait for more writing from Charmaine Wilkerson – this author will be an auto-add to my TBR!

I’m a huge fan of mixed genre books. Black Cake is part historical fiction, part contemporary fiction, part women’s fiction, and part mystery, all wrapped in a multi-generational character-driven story about the Bennett family. With settings in the Caribbean, London, and California, you’re transported both descriptively and lyrically. Wilkerson’s writing is quite impressive.

One of my favorite things about Black Cake is that Wilkerson doesn’t shy away from telling the story in the transitions. So much happens in the in-betweens in life, and that is where Wilkerson shines. She dives deep into those uncomfortable feelings and lack of direction. Here is where life is messy but interesting. Often these times define who we are, which is the case for Benny, Byron, and Eleanor. However, the one constant through these transitions is the Black Cake. A simple cake that’s not simple at all - a cake that holds stories, memories, heartbreak, healing, and most importantly, unconditional love. Just a beautiful story!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ecopy for my Kindle.
Parts of this book were very sad and tugged at my heart. It was based on what has happened in our world because of racial prejudices in the past which are still continuing today. Overall, it was a good book.

Really enjoyed this rich, multi layered tale about the Bennet family. The book starts with the death of Eleanor Bennet. When her children, Byron and Benny, reconvene for the funeral, their family lawyer presents them with a taped recording from their mother. What follows next is the reveal of secrets and changing identities, the struggle to keep going against all odds. There was so much covered in this book - the lives of Caribbeans (including chinese immigrants), life in a new country, racism, motherhood, coming out - a totally absorbing read. It does start off slow, but persevere, the story moves along pretty quickly after that. Recommend, thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

Family secrets can take their toll, not only relationships within the family, but on the people holding those secrets. How do you fully love someone and fully trust someone when holding back the truth? What if the truth can cause more harm than good? What if your past can lead to further mistakes in the future? Black Cake looks at one woman, the life that she led, the secret she held to protect herself and her family. But each secret had reprecussions that her children had to deal with after her passing. This book also looks at cultures and the simple ways we hold onto, share and love our culture regardless of how far we venture from home.

This wasn’t an easy story for me to get into. I wasn’t sure if it was the pacing or how things were being alluded to but I’m glad I stuck with it. Once I acclimated to the changing narrative it was easy to see the growth of the characters, their challenges and the relationships they had with each other. The weaving of the narratives is something Wilkerson was able to balance keeping readers intrigued and invested but not confused. And the ending was very satisfying. The kind of closure you want from a story where trauma and pain can almost resonate off the page. This ended up being an extremely enjoyable book. Well worth a read and a book that makes me want to read more from this author.

This is a book I was not sure if I would like but once I started reading it I could tell why it won so many awards and book club picks. Great debut novel from Charmaine Wilkerson.

Now this book was so good to read and I didn't want it to end. Also the cover is so amazing. I love reading about family traditions and secrets and this book surely did not disappoint. I really really recommend this book.

Brilliant. Timely. There is much in this book to learn - both in history of which I was totally unaware, and in family/life lessons. I can't say enough about this incredible debut by an author to watch.
“Wilkerson uses one Caribbean American family’s extraordinary tale to probe universal issues of identity and how the lives we live and the choices we make leave ‘a trail of potential consequences’ that pass down through generations.”—Booklist (starred review)

really enjoyed this book. I took my time reading through it to truly digest the information and I believe that made the book more enjoyable.

This is a multiple time stream book and we follow multiple characters. At times, I found it hard to follow due to some of the details in the book that I can explain now without spoiling the story.

I will say that I found the story to be both heartbreaking and sweet. I loved the significance of the black cake throughout the story. Similar to the cake, the story had multiple layers each of which is important and necessary in its own way. Food holds so much significance in various cultures and I felt the author did a good job shining light on the significance of black cake.

Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys different time streams, found families, with a little bit of suspense added in. Great book! One that I can see myself rereading in the future

Thank you Netgally for this book.


TW/CW: death of a parent, sexual assault, racism, rape, abandonment, suicide attempt, murder domestic abuse, pregnancy. Adult/minor relationship

Title: Black Cake
Author: Charmaine Wilkerson
Available now

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 💫

“Who I am is your mother. This is the truest part of me. “

This book is a beautifully written story of family, friendship, hardship and second chances. Benny and Byron lose their mother who has left them an audio recording detailing her extraordinary life from girlhood on the Caribbean island where she was born and beyond. They will learn so much about their mother, her secrets and their heritage through the recording. These characters were so well done. By the end of the book, you will feel truly connected to them all. I loved the friendship between Covey and Bunny the most.

This was such a rich and layered story of a family. The narrative crosses generations, continents, and cultures. I loved being able to learn about a slice (pun intended) of Caribbean food culture I’ve yet to see represented in literature. All of the characters were really well developed. The jumps between time and POV kept the story lively, too. I think Black Cake would be great adapted as a film or series! Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for a digital ARC and the chance to review this book.

Byron and Benny are estranged brother and sister who are brought together after the death of their mother. A big secret is revealed as well as the mother's story. Caribbean island girls Convey and Bunny grow up loving to Open swim and being the best of friends. Their story unfolds, filled with adventure, love and mystery. The siblings own story comes out as well. Will their mother's secrets bring them closer or tear them further apart. A great read!

Copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley

5 STARS

What a beautiful debut novel.

When Eleanor Bennett passes away after a brief battle with cancer, her two estranged children, Byron and Benny, find themselves left with the odd inheritance of the last Caribbean black cake their mother made and a recording their mother made to explain her past and reveal the secrets she and their father spent their lives protecting. The narrative alternates between Eleanor's story and the present-day reckoning her children are undergoing as they begin to understand the importance of their inheritance and mend their broken relationship.

The story is heartbreaking in how it shows the complications of keeping secrets from the ones you love most. On top of that, it is truly beautifully written. I don't want to say too much and reveal any of Eleanor's secrets or the resolution, but just know it has a satisfying and redemptive ending. If you like stories about complicated family dynamics and the way we deal with the past and bring the good and bad into our everyday lives, this would be a great book for you. I can't wait to see what Wilkerson writes next!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ebook copy for review!

A little late but here’s my February reads. Very slow month for me. Granted some were pretty long reads . Favorite read : Black Cake. I received this as an ARC from @netgalley. I can’t believe i waited so long to read it. Absolutely loved it . The family history and drama. Highly recommend. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#bookstagram #booknerd #themaid #netgalley #readwithjenna #reesesbookclub
#blackcake

Black Cake completely blew me away.

This is a compulsively readable multi-generational story that primarily follows two estranged siblings, Benny and Byron, the children of two Caribbean immigrants to the United States. The book opens with Benny and Byron reunited due to the death of their mother, Eleanor Bennett. They are told by their mother's lawyer that they must listen to a recording their mother left them before dealing with matters of her estate.

Through the recording, Benny and Byron learn that there was much to their mother and her past that they never knew, and by getting to know who their mother was, also learn to understand each other.

Told in short chapters and vignettes from various intertwined perspectives, this book is clever, wise, and will touch anyone who reads it. I am absolutely sure this will be one of my favorite reads of the year and I will be the first to pick up anything else Charmaine Wilkerson writes.

**Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for providing me with a free e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review**

Note: review on my YouTube channel and link to that video to come in early April

This book was fabulous. It's hard to believe that it is a debut novel. I laughed, I cried, I worried about the characters, I reflected on the many lessons within these pages.....

Charmaine Wilkerson populated her novel with well drawn powerful characters who had relationship issues, family issues, love, secrets, regrets, and struggles. The multiple issues within the book were handled sensitively and with care, in a way that drew me into the story so that I didn't want to put it down.

I loved the way the book was structured - with Eleanor's 8 hour audio letter to her children that had to be listened to over several days in the presence of her attorney/lover. The secondary characters were brought into the story seamlessly - their back stories were introduced, their current activities were described, and they became fully fleshed out and integral characters in the weaving of the tale. The characters (ingredients) were all so different, but like a sweet black cake - each individual component had an essential part in the completed project.

I received an ARC copy of this memorable book for free from NetGalley and Random House(Ballantine Books) and am leaving this review voluntarily with many thanks for having the opportunity to read it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for providing me with an ebook copy of this book. The following is my honest review.

Black Cake is not a book I would normally pick up but I am a member of Book of the Month Club, where it received rave reviews, so when I was approved for a late ARC I was very excited to start reading. Ultimately, it was a fascinating story that ended up trying to do a little too much.

The plot starts out as a dual timeline and then converges I think about halfway through. Like a lot of dual timeline books, one timeline vis far superior to the other, and teenage Covey growing up on the island in the 60s was much more interesting than present-day estranged siblings watching a video their mother made for them before her recent death. I found them selfish and uninteresting and even though I knew a lot about them, I never really felt like I knew them.

Other than adult siblings Byron (so selfish) and Benny (exhausting), the characters were great and I really loved all the characters from the 60s/70s. There was a period towards the middle where I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy the book at all, but the ending was great and saved the story, although I definitely won't be spoiling it here!

The writing was very good but there were a lot of social issues crammed in here, and I mean a LOT. Most of which I agreed with but still. It was about the environment, but also about queer people being ostracized by family, but also about Blackness and what it means to be Black and successful or not, but also about family secrets, but also about about how women survive in and escape the patriarchy... It was just a lot, is what I'm saying, and as a result of trying to go to so many places, it never really went to any of them. I would've LOVED if the book had fully explored any one or two of these ideas but there was so much other stuff in between scenes when each of these things would be addressed that I would forgot the point that was even being made.

This probably would've been 5 stars if it had really accomplished any of what it was trying to do, other than being a good, twisty story of family secrets. I'd recommend it to people who like literary fiction and stories of family drama more than I do.