Black Cake
Book Review
In Black Cake, Wilkerson masterfully weaves the story of Eleanor Bennett, the family matriarch, and her complicated experiences, heartbreak, and family secrets. Black Cake becomes a symbol of her journey, and its significance is revealed through a mind-bending exercise involving a voice recording that brings the family together.
The book is craftily written, perfectly timing the revelations that shaped the family. It unveils the mystery of how love, betrayal, secrets, and names have influenced the family's trajectory. When a family member passes away, all that remains are memories, and this book does an excellent job of unraveling the family's secrets and how their mother's journey shaped their lives. Imagine a dark, delicious cake passed down through generations, made with dried or candied fruits soaked in brandy, rum, and spices. This is the Black Cake, a traditional dessert commonly served on special occasions in the Caribbean. Making Black Cake is slow and can take over a year, but it is worth the wait.
This book is a must-read for anyone who loves a good mystery and wants to experience the power of family secrets. The Black Cake is more than just a dessert - it symbolizes tradition, love, and the complexity of family relationships.