Black Cake: A Read with Jenna Pick: A Novel

You won't want to put this down until you read it competely.

This book was in need of a bit of fine tuning. I did enjoy the multiple POV's and multiple timelines with short chapters. However the story was trying to cover too many topics. It went wide instead of deep. Wilkerson juggles a lot within the story, rotating between the past and present in brief chapters that, while written entirely in third person, spirals through the characters to reframe on their specific lives, emotions and thoughts. The style gives each character their individualism while also weaving them together to view each individual as connected through the community of their shared lives. The ending is clean answering of the questions the story raised. It took a bit of time for Black Cake to pick up the pace, and there were way too names keep straight at times. Foreshadowing was overused, I could foresee each and every reveal. The characters would always explain their thoughts, not very subtly, and would repeat their thoughts several times. This I would have edited down. As a reader, I want something to ponder, but this was spoon fed a little too much. Black Cake is a story of Identity: what it means to be who you are, how heritage can either define you or hold you captive, and how place and opportunity can shape your destiny. At first, we are introduced to Benny and Byron's story, and I was intrigued by these narrators and their differing perspectives. The premise was sound, and I thought by story's end I would have a firm sense of WHO these two were and who they could become down the line. At first, the book felt balanced: we got small glimpses into mother Eleanor's life without losing hold of the present-day narrative. As time went on, however, the central theme of the story became more and more divergent, as character after character was introduced, new locations and complications arose, and the book started to lose focus---and lose my attention. The dramatic 'twists' became a bit repetitive, and there was a heavy emphasis on certain themes such as abuse, without any true conclusion. The moment I started to connect to a new character's story line, we jumped to another point in time, a new location, or back to present day, and it left me feeling a bit underwhelmed. After reading about the making of Black Cake which is a cake bursting with fruits, soaked in rum, and browned with sugar (hence the name). I am curious to experiment with some recipes. As debuts go, this is a strong one, and I look forward to seeing what else Wilkerson publishes.

Eleanor Bennett has died, and her two children are summoned by her lawyer to listen to their mother’s lengthy recorded voice message. In it, she divulges many incredible secrets that she used to ensure her survival. She also leaves them a black cake, the last black cake she ever made. I love this book! This is an incredible tale filled with many twists and turns, and with many branches that are all eventually tied up together into one awesome story. The characters are amazing and the settings are lush with description. The plot is so intriguing that I couldn't put it down! I can’t say enough about this one! This is a tale of family, friendship, love and heartache. It is also about the importance of tradition. In addition, our author deals with the difficulties that arise when people are forced to fit into categories determined by others. You have to experience this precious book!

This was my August book club book and I didn't think if like it, being mostly a fantasy/sci-fi girlie, but I loved it! I read about 30 pages one night, then picked it up the next day and didn't put it down til it was done. It's told in alternating POVs from probably 15ish different characters, but every storyline was fascinating in its own way. It tells the story of the mother in a way that makes it almost like a mystery-- you know how her story ends, and how it starts, but how it gets from point A to point B is a WILD ride. I never had any clue where the story was going to take me next. The book explores themes of the trials and tribulations of family, loyalty and duty to your loved ones, empathy and forgiveness for others' mistakes, and the parts of our culture and our own experiences that forms identity. I cried multiple times, but in a cathartic way. Immediately upon finishing, I walked out and handed it to my partner so she could read it too and I'd have someone to bask in it with. Not everyone in book club loved it as much as I did, but (how to I say this politely...) as middle aged, upper middle class women of NOT color in a conservative neighborhood, they might not have been the target audience. I think it hit a lot harder for me as a young, queer Title I teacher whose mother grew up sleeping on the floor in front of a wood stove on a tobacco farm. You'll either get the story this book is trying to tell, or you won't. This book does contain mentions of rape, racism, grief, queer characters who experience homophobia, and generally just a lot of emotional turmoil of characters who have led hard lives, so readers be advised.

Somehow, this book just didn’t click with me. About halfway through I was about to give up, decided to stick with it and I thought the second half was better, but I didn’t love it. It was an interesting storyline with a few good twists and turns. There were a lot of political/social nuances to the book. Debating whether to watch the miniseries.

Enjoyed the book. Story ebbs and flows for pace. Some spots were less than motivating to keep reading. Liked the unifying themes.

Loved this heartwarming book! Recipe included! lol Great generational story telling, through sweet family traditions passing from generation to generation. Already have passed this book along to my friends for them to enjoy as well.

Fun read!

It’s not often that I read anything that’s not a thriller or based on the life. I had watched the series on Disney and instantly was obsessed with the story and all the events that had happened. It’s powerful, emotional and empowering. I then brought the book and couldn’t stop talking about it. It’s a must read and one of those where you can picture the story.

Enjoyed reading this book. Loved the characters and the descriptions. Very well written.

After the death of Eleanor Bennett, her two children Byron and Benny are left behind with an inheritance of a black cake (made from family recipe) and a voice recorded story. A story about a young girl, a promising swimmer who fled her native land as a result of being the prime suspect of a murder. Their world quakes with various questions as she reveals that they have another sister and that they must eat the cake only when the time is right. They will know know when the time is right. The narration oscillates between the past and present setting smoothly. The story unfolds beautifully whilst touching on various themes like family, lineage, racism, survival, cultural diaspora, environmental issues, motherhood and so many more. I particularly enjoyed debutant author's storytelling style, there was an immediate command yet a warm ease to the whole atmosphere. It made me look forward to keep turning the pages for revelations. The characters, each and everyone of them entwined in realistic, flawed relationships. These characters Benny, Byron, Eleanor, Charles, Covey, Pearl, Bunny and Marble will stay with me for a long time. The delicacy of handling blame, regret, guilt, confusion was masterfully crafted. My review will be incomplete if I don't talk about the black cake traditions, the food and culture element in the story. It gave it an added leverage to the story for me personally. The description and details of the setting clasped together wonderfully along the plot. Finally how the plot unfolded and then wrapped up in the end felt just right to me. This is a tale that warms one's heart through and through. There was so much to take away from this tale. I recommend it to all those who love a good historical family fiction.

Oh my aching heart! How I loved this book – such an emotional, well-written story about family and belonging, one I will remember for a long time to come. Reviews for favourite books are the hardest to write, but I will try to put into words how this story affected me. I will go as far as to say that it was my favourite book for 2024! I love stories about family secrets and sibling relationships, so was instantly intrigued by Eleanor Bennett’s deathbed message to her children. Over an eight-hour recording, she confides aspects of her past that will change Byron and Benny’s lives in ways they could never have anticipated. Wilkerson knows how to bring her characters to life, and it didn’t take long for them to worm their way into my mind and my heart. They all felt so real to me! There was so much to unwrap here: strong women, love, race, culture, belonging, sexuality, family dysfunction, and lots of secrets, all handled sensitively and with lots of heart. At the end, I felt happy and in tears at the same time, realising that these wonderful characters will stay in my mind for a while yet. BLACK CAKE is a book to savour slowly and deliberately, getting to know the background of each character and what drives them. Like the cake the book is named after, this is a rich and flavoursome story steeped in love and a multitude of flavours that all blend together to form an amazing whole. Set against the atmospheric backdrop of a small Caribbean island, there was an element of armchair travel as well that made me want to jump on a plane and go there. I’m really lost for words here – if only my heart could speak and express how much this book affected me. A truly wonderful story, very highly recommended. If I could give it more than 5 stars I would!

The book is amazing!