Black Cake- Charmaine Wilkerson

In the aftermath of their mother’s death, Benny and Byron Bennett, two estranged siblings, are brought together at their mother’s last request. They are to share the final traditional Caribbean black cake she has baked them, but only after the siblings listen to a series of her voice recordings revealing inconceivable truths and a tumultuous past. Their mother’s phenomenal yet devastating story pulls the rug out from underneath them but the real question is: will they fall into one another’s arms for support or drift further apart?

Black Cake is an entrancing, multigenerational story highlighting struggles of various characters from different angles- be it is race, class, gender, or sexual orientation. This story illustrates the domino effect one’s choice can have, not only on their own life, but in the lives of generations to follow.  

Wilkerson expertly weaves the very different lives and experiences of her characters ultimately resulting in a mosaic of truths and love. Dreams, secrets, an unsolved murder, broken families, and a long-lost child make up a triumphant debut novel brimming with wisdom.