Jan 27, 2023

Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson and TBR Thrillers: Sunday Salon

 I am familiar with Jamaican black cake, a traditional fruit cake with fruits soaked in rum and wine. I went to many weddings and celebrations on the island where this special cake was served. 



Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I loved the story of three generations, the novel set in the unnamed Caribbean island, later moving to the U.K. and the U.S. 

The book begins with Bennie and Byron, adult siblings born in the U.S., who find out after their mother Eleanor's death that they have a sister who had been given up for adoption at birth. They also find out the full extent of Eleanor's checkered and secret past, secrets that began in the island and that continued in England and America.

The link between Eleanor and her children and the island she grew up in is the black cake, a traditional plum pudding made with fruits soaked in rum and wine and served at Christmas, at weddings, and at other important celebrations. Their mother Eleanor taught Bennie how to make the cake, a tradition she was careful to hand down.

A lot of research went into this book, which shows very well the multicultural aspect of the island, its history, and how Eleanor's past is an intricate part of it.

My only other comment regarding the book is that the story might be better listened to than read. The tone of the book becomes conversational at times, as the plot is slowly revealed in bits and pieces at a time. This made me impatient toward the end, wishing that the author would get to the important parts faster.

But the wait was worth it. All the threads of the novel are finally knit together and all the questions answered.

RECIPE: Click on the Book Club Kit from Random House Books for a recipe for Jamaican Black Cake.

 *****

Thanks to Soho Press for these new supense novels for possible review.


The Motion Picture Teller by Colin Cotterill, Jan. 2023

From CWA Dagger winner Colin Cotterill, set in Bangkok in 1996: a mystery without a crime, where the line between fact and fiction blurs, and nothing is as simple as it appears. (publisher)


I really enjoy Cotterill's mystery books set in Southeast Asia. This one is in Bangkok, where I lived before the time period of this novel.  


 

The Rope Artist by Fuminori Nakamura, May 2, 2023

Two detectives. Two identical women. One dead body—rapidly becoming two, then three, then four. All knotted up in Japan’s underground BDSM scene and kinbaku, a form of rope bondage which bears a complex cultural history of spirituality, torture, cleansing, and sacrifice. (publisher)

What are you reading this week?

Memes: The Sunday Post hosted by The Caffeinated BookreviewerAlso,  It's Monday: What Are You Readingand Sunday SalonStacking the ShelvesMailbox Monday

52 comments:

  1. I have been seeing Black Cake on so many blogs. I need to get that one from the library, great review.

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    1. Thanks, Tina. Hope you get to read it and comment!

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  2. I'm looking forward to your thoughts on The Motion Picture Teller.

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  3. I am delighted that you enjoyed Black Cake so much. I bet you are right in thinking that it would make a good audio book. So many secrets in that family! It makes me wonder if everyone I meet has secrets they have never revealed.

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  4. Nice review for Black Cake. I hope you enjoy the other two.

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  5. Those first two definitely sound good. Some books do work well on audio, better than reading almost.

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    1. Yes. Too bad I never have much time or patience to listen to audiobooks.

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  6. These books sound good. I've been thinking of adding Black Cake to my list.

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    1. Hope you like it if you do. It is an intriguing, unusual book.

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  7. I loved Black Cake too! It's such a great book.

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  8. Black Cake sounds like an interesting read! I'll take your advice if I add it to the reading pile and opt for the audiobook. :)
    I'm also curious about the cake, black cake! It's one I haven't heard of but it also sounds interesting... (I really love cake, lol.)

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    1. The Book Club Link in my post will take you to a recipe. There are others on the web as well.

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  9. I've been curious about Black Cake. It sounds really good - and I am looking for an audiobook to listen to! I will try this one!

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  10. I need to read Black Cake, glad you enjoyed it.

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  11. I've never had Black Cake but it sounds delicious. The book sounds good, too!

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  12. Black Cake keeps popping up everywhere and sounds like a good book. But tell me, does it include a recipe for making your own Black Cake?

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    1. I have a link at the end of my post - the Book Club Link, which will take you to a recipe. There are others on the web as well.

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  13. 5 stars for Black Cake...sounds like a must read book. :D

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    1. I'm sometimes generous with 5s, but this one does deserve it.

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  14. I love Japanese Lit, but Nakamura is not my favorite.
    Though I have only read The Thief so far: https://wordsandpeace.com/2013/01/16/japanese-literature-reviewlets/

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    1. I like him though this one seems to be pushing it.

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    2. That's what I might be afraid of. Looking forward to your thoughts on it

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  15. I wonder what your mom likes about it!

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  16. I'm only familiar with the first title. Glad to see you enjoyed it.
    I have a problem with Blogger blogs that don't allow anonymous comments. Yours does allow so I'm able to. Have a good week!
    Mary @Bookfan

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  17. Black Cake has been on my TBR for a while and it must be time to read it because it's popped up again a couple times in the last week. And I had to add The Motion Picture Teller to my list....it sounds great. Thanks for the visit.
    Terrie @ Bookshelf Journeys

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  18. Black Cake sounds delicious; and the book looks like a good read, too. I'll have to check this out.

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  19. Interesting assortment of books. I hope you enjoy the new arrivals. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

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  20. the Rope Artist sound interesting.
    Have a great week.

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  21. Black Cake sounds like a good book, and it is definitely a delicious dessert! The motion picture book sounds intriguing as well. Happy Reading!

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    1. The author has been around for a while and writes well, with humor.

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  22. All these books are new to me. I hope you enjoy them!

    My It's Monday! What Are You Reading? post.

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  23. Oh, I'm so glad to hear that Black Cake was a success for you! I actually just got a copy on sale for my Kobo, so hopefully I'll be getting to it soon. - Melinda @ A Web of Stories

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    1. Hope you like it too. I'm also listening to the audio for the different island accents.

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  24. I'm glad you enjoyed Black Cake. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. The Rope Artist sounds a little dark but interesting. Happy Reading!

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    1. I'm curious about the Rope Artist too. I enjoyed his other books.

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  25. Black Cake has been a sensation for many readers.

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    1. It's getting really good media exposure.

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I appreciate your comments and thoughts...

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