Upon the death of their mother, estranged siblings Byron and Bunny finally learn the truth of her life through an audible recording she has left for them. As the story spins out, they learn about their family history and we learn about them, the widening circles of connection encountered by multitudes of characters, and familial traditions from their Caribbean history heretofore unknown. Deeply involving and beautifully written, hard to believe this is a debut.

This debut novel, like black cake itself, is a lavish blend of layers, flavors, slices, and histories.

It's a multigenerational story that begins when estranged siblings, Benny and Byron, are thrown together in an attorney's office after their mother's death where they must listen to a recording she left them which reveals secret, unknown truths about her past. Told in a dual timeline, and from multiple perspectives, it reads like a turbulent character-driven family saga that is punctuated with themes of discovery, identity, love, loss, racism, and the trauma of misunderstanding.

The balance between family mystery and family betrayal is one of the elements that kept me turning the pages. All of the characters have their own hardships, their own sufferings to wade through, and I appreciated the message that their present and future identities were bound to be shaped by the past, especially once they learned where to take a bite out of their own history. It was an absorbing, evocative tale and I'm looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC.

3.5 stars

I seem to be one of the few who is on the other end of this book and not loving it. I just found it difficult to be engaged sometimes as it felt slow which was surprising since there were many characters to focus on and the timeline switch.

This story is about identity, family and friends. All connections through multigenerational stories and what one can grow and learn from. It’s a heavy book of emotions mixed with love and hope and faith.

I think the structure of the book lost me on being able to connect. The intention was set up well to have these big reveals on characters but it fell short in the end for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for the e-galley of this book. I really enjoyed this beautiful, multilayered story of family. Wilkerson has a gift for writing, especially in describing the beauty of the Caribbean. This is an outstanding debut.

A wonderful new novel to enjoy. Interesting story of families and what brings them together (Black Cake), I loved all the characters but at times, the story line seemed a little slow. The description and history of the Caribbean was particularly good. Will recommend to my friends and my book clubs.

Thank you NetGalley for my ARC of Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson. This is the first book I have read by this author and I enjoyed the story. The characters were resilient, strong, smart and interesting. I also learned a lot of history. At times I felt characters were introduced in a confusing way, but overall, I would recommend the book.

Beautiful, heartwarming yet tragic story. Enjoyed very much. Would definitely recommend. Gave 4 ⭐️ vs 5 because at times it seemed to ramble when it could have been shorter and I actually got tired of the constant talk of Black Cake…also there came a point where you have trouble believing one person could have so many life altering movements and identity changes. Still a very good book overall.

Beautiful, heartwarming yet tragic story. Enjoyed very much. Would definitely recommend. Gave 4 ⭐️ vs 5 because at times it seemed to ramble when it could have been shorter and I actually got tired of the constant talk of Black Cake…also there came a point where you have trouble believing one person could have so many life altering movements and identity changes. Still a very good book overall.

Beautiful, heartwarming yet tragic story. Enjoyed very much. Would definitely recommend. Gave 4 ⭐️ vs 5 because at times it seemed to ramble when it could have been shorter and I actually got tired of the constant talk of Black Cake…also there came a point where you have trouble believing one person could have so many life altering movements and identity changes. Still a very good book overall.

Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson is a beautifully written multi-generational story of family and friends; how they lives diverge and intersect and how they love and hurt one another. This debut novel has interesting characters and settings including the Caribbean Islands, the United Kingdom and the United States with a complex story line that unfolds slowly over the novel.

Written in dual timelines as well as from multiple points of view, we learn about the life of Eleanor Bennett after she passes away and leaves a voice recording of her life story for her two estranged children, Byron and Benny, to listen to together. As it turns out, they really knew nothing about their parent's lives before they were born and their parent’s challenges growing up in the Caribbean Islands. Eleanor reveals surprising family secrets (don’t want to spoil it) and a traditional Caribbean black cake in the freezer with instructions to "share the black cake" at the right moment which they’ll know when it happens. Baking and sharing a black cake has been a family tradition for generations and continues to be so after Eleanor’s passing.

I enjoyed this book and want to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing (Ballantine Books) for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

BLACK CAKE is a rich, multi-layered story about family secrets that draws the reader in from page one and does not let go. Highly recommended.

While the premise seemed a tiny bit strained, or forced, to me at first, I'm glad I kept reading. The characters are the biggest strength of this book. They are drafted with realistic faults and I found myself cheering them on as they engage in complicated decision-making. This family's secrets kept me turning the pages. I was anxious to see what would happen next.

Wilkerson is definitely a writer to watch.

I loved this compelling, layered story! The character development and vivid writing had me pulled in from the first pages. I can't wait to read this author's next work.

Black Cake is about the untold stories that shape people’s lives. Charmaine spoke about multicultural traditions and the heritage of blending cultures thru food.
The story revolves around an audio file and letter left by Eleanor for her children upon her passing. As Byron and Benny listen to their mother recount her years as a young woman Charmaine plants bits and pieces of the past and present.
Byron is Eleanor’s son. He’s a black man who grew up in SoCal. Benny is Eleanor’s daughter. She’s a black woman who faces many challenges in life.

I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into when I requested to read Black Cake. I took a chance on a new author. This being her debut novel. The concept was intriguing. Afterall, it’s the concept that warranted a read from me. Although, I had higher hopes than I did going into Black Cake. My interest dwindled during part two and it never recovered going into parts three and four.
The message was received loud and clear. Yet I still felt empty after reading it. Sure these characters survived life’s obstacles. They felt trapped in a life where some didn’t understand. They continued to fight for individuality.

This story comes to readers off the Black Lives Matter movement. While my opinion differs from the authors I can still appreciate the message she is sending.
As individuals the way we represent ourselves as a mother, friend, or volunteer gives off a different perspective of who we are to each of them.
Parents making choices for a better future for there children. These were pertinent points addressed in the book. As I’ve mentioned before this read didn’t hit its mark with me. I struggled to stay connected thus relying on a quick skim read after part one.

Excellently written and captivating story of the life of Covey and all the traumas she survives. As a final goodbye to her adult children, she records the true story of her life-a life very different from the beliefs of her children. Full of sorrow, miraculous saves, and tender hearted love of family.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was an engaging and moving read! There is so much to this book. There is family drama, secrets, the power of friendship but overall just a fantastic story. There are several characters in this book. In modern day we meet Benny and Byron. They are estranged siblings who have come together for their mother's funeral. Before their mother passed she made a recording for them to listen to about her life. Neither Benny or Byron have any idea how their life is going to change as they listen to her recording. The book alternates between present day and the past. It does so in a way that made me want to keep reading as the mystery of what happened and how it all tied in kept unfolding.

At the heart of this book is black cake. I had never heard of black cake before and I did not know the cultural significance. The cake tied everything together and I loved how the author weaved it into the story. This book was given to me to read and I am so happy to have read it. Honestly, I don't know if I would have picked this book up otherwise but it is an incredible book! Very moving and powerful! A must read!

Thank you to Netgalley and Kathleen Quinlan at Random House Publishing for this advance copy. This was an incredible book!

I wish to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine Books for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a first novel for Charmaine Wilkerson but I hope it will not be the last. I enjoyed reading this story. At the very beginning I became deeply involved with the characters and the story line or story lines I should say. The story takes place in the Caribbean Islands, In England and in California. It weaves a tale of misfortune, loves, loss and family lies that disrupt future generations. When Eleanor dies her lawyer summons her children to his office to hear a recording that she has made which will tell her children the true story of her life. They had no idea what was about to be unraveled for them. The mother they thought they knew has much to tell them. The two children, who were as very close as youngsters, have drifted apart and not seen each other for a number of years. The lies you tell yourself and those around you have a habit of surfacing and must be dealt with at some future time. One of the story lines in this book deals with the fears of young black men in today’s world. This resonates with all of us due to recent headlines. This really causes the reader to think carefully about what it is like to be in that situation, and other situations that are presented as the story unfolds.
The history of the black cake is both interesting and informative and is very important to the storyline.
There are many deep moments and things to ponder in this book and I hated to get to the end of the story as I felt I was saying goodbye to new friends. Thank you, Charmaine, for such a good telling of difficult issues.
I urge you to read this book and tell your friends about it.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me a free ARC to read. This is my honest review

Black Cake is a rich, multilayered debut that captured me from the first page. The themes are nuanced and varied, encompassing Caribbean culture, gender expectations, racial and economic inequality qnd more. The author deftly weaves these themes into a compelling story about a family and its secrets.

I want to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing (Ballantine Books) for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson is a beautifully written story about family history, bonds that can so easily break, and of course- black cake. This story really begins at the end, with the death of a mother. Benny and Byron are summoned by their mother's lawyer to view a recording she left for them to view together and only together. This may sound like an easy ask, but not for these two siblings. Benny walked out of Thanksgiving years prior due to a misunderstanding with her parents that has left her estranged for the past 8 years. She didn't even attend her father's funeral

Written in dual timelines as well as from multiple points of view, we are immersed in the emotional journey of how Byron and Benny became to be. It turns out, they really knew nothing about their parent's lives before them and their rich history growing up in the Caribbean Islands.

Wilkerson has really written a work of art here. This was one of the most unique stories I've read. She uses such amazing imagery when speaking about the culture of the islands and she ties the tradition of black cake into the entire story. It's truly beautiful. If you're looking for a read about the bonds and stories that tie us together as family- look no further. Looking forward to adding this to my library when it publishes.

Such a captivating, awesome debut novel! I was so engrossed in this story I literally had to pry myself away from it to take care of other things I had to do when all I wanted was to read more. The story is set in several places: the Caribbean, Great Britain, and America.

The story begins at the end. Eleanor Bennett died in California and her attorney asked Eleanor's two children, Byron and Benny to come to his office. Eleanor had left an audio recording for her children to listen to in the presence of the attorney. Byron had stayed close to his mother, but due to an earlier rift in the family, Benny had been estranged from her family for eight years and had not even shown up for her father's funeral! But she did show up this time to listen to the recording.

The book moves back and forth between present and past as Eleanor tells the story of her life, things her children never even suspected. So many secrets revealed - some shocking and heartbreaking. Yet Eleanor kept a positive attitude and she and her husband brought the children up well - wanting only the best for them and providing them with strong values and an excellent education. The black cake is something from Eleanor's childhood that her mother made and Eleanor had carried the recipe with her throughout her life and shared making this special cake first with her mother, then with another woman who took care of her as a child, then later with her daughter. It was very special and was almost revered.

The characters are well formed and flawed. I would describe the story as deeply introspective. Charmaine Wilkerson has a gift for writing and storytelling.

I loved this book! Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on February 1, 2022.

As I try to remember my feelings about Black Cake a week after finishing it, I'm trying to learn more about the titular dessert. It's a Caribbean evolution of plum (or figgy?!?) pudding, brought to the island by its colonizers and soaked in rum all year, with the fruits merged together, less distinct and less heavy than the UK versions.

As one character describes it, "...some foods are born, bred, and developed within a particular geographic area or food culture. Others are imported, and yes, they find their places in new cultures over time, but they wouldn't be there in the first place without long-distance travel, without commercial exchanges and, in many cases, a history of exploitation. ... some foods that are taken for granted in many products and recipes in Europe, for example, are produced in other countries, where in past centuries, their trade depended on forced labor or very low-cost labor. Cane sugar, for example."

The cake is a through-line in this multigenerational story of family members lost and found. There's even a secret baked into a black cake, left by motherless mother Eleanor for her estranged adult children, Byron and Benny.

Byron is a Neil deGrasse Tyson, except with the ocean instead of the stars. Benny. who has a secret of her own, is adrift. I can't think of what else to say that won't be a spoiler, but I will add that in addition to "forced/low-cost labor," one might consider the role of rape in assimilation and foodways.

Many of my reads are lighter and quicker than this one was, but reflecting on the deeper messages of the novel as I write this review, I'm feeling more strongly about my recommendation. 4.5/5!