Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson
A Review By: SS
We can’t choose what we inherit. But can we choose who we become?
In present-day California, Eleanor Bennett’s death leaves behind a puzzling inheritance for her two children, Byron and Benny: a black cake, made from a family recipe with a long history, and a voice recording. In her message, Eleanor shares a tumultuous story about a headstrong young swimmer who escapes her island home under suspicion of murder. The heartbreaking tale Eleanor unfolds, the secrets she still holds back, and the mystery of a long-lost child challenge everything the siblings thought they knew about their lineage and themselves.
Can Byron and Benny reclaim their once-close relationship, piece together Eleanor’s true history, and fulfill her final request to “share the black cake when the time is right”? Will their mother’s revelations bring them back together or leave them feeling more lost than ever?
Charmaine Wilkerson’s debut novel is a story of how the inheritance of betrayals, secrets, memories, and even names can shape relationships and history. Deeply evocative and beautifully written, Black Cake is an extraordinary journey through the life of a family changed forever by the choices of its matriarch.
Review Notes:
Audio Book Publication Year: 2022
An installment in a Series? No
Narrator (s): Lynette R. Freeman, Simone McIntyre
This was quite the family saga! The author did an excellent job telling a complicated story. The characters were complex, yet well developed and believable. Readers gradually learn the main character’s story, while also learning much about her family and other loved ones. I enjoyed the various plot twists that occurred throughout the journey from the Caribbean to the United Kingdom, and eventually, the United States. There was plenty of drama from beginning to end that evoked many emotions; yet, the story ended with a pleasant surprise.
I enjoyed listening to the narrators read this story in the various accents necessary to tell a story that took place on two different continents. It made the story more authentic. It would not have been the same experience reading the story myself. These ladies did an awesome job bringing this story to life for me. Not only with the accents, but with going back and forth between younger to more mature voices, as the story often moved from decades ago to modern day.
I had no issues with the narrators’ performances; however, the book seemed a bit heavy at times So many issues were addressed; a murder mystery, familial loss, rape, physical abuse, etc.
Reading Recommendation? Yes!
Rating: 4 (It’s lit!)
Content Warnings? Human or animal loss, Physical abuse/violence, Sexual abuse/violence.
