The Book of the Month for March is a different vibe from last month’s, but just as not-put-downable.
This month’s book recommendation is Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson.
Admittedly, I picked this book up on a whim when I was delayed in the airport, but I was so pleasantly surprised by how engaging and feminist it was. The book is about two estranged siblings who are forced to mend their relationship after the death of both of their parents. When brother and sister, Byron and Benny, return to their hometown to settle their mother’s estate, they find that she has left them a very long and detailed voice recording spilling all the family tea.
The book beautifully details Caribbean culture and the immigrant experience. It talks about racism, classism, homophobia, and sexism without being preachy. Trust me, I was too engrossed in all the family secrets to notice the subtle social activism until the end of the book. Each character goes on a journey to find their way amongst adverse cultural forces which fills the pages with both captivating story-telling and poignant life-lessons.
I don’t know that I would ever choose this book if I hadn’t been desperate for reading material waiting for my flight, but I ended up loving it. If you find yourself thinking that this book isn’t your thing, I say give it a chance. Also, it’s a NYT Bestseller with over four stars on Goodreads, so you know I’m not making this up!
TL;DR: Family drama with sneaky feminism baked in like rum- and port-soaked fruit in Pearl’s famous black cake. There’s murder. There’s secret identities. There’s tragedy. There’s romance. There’s cake. What more could you want??
Check it out and let me know what you think!
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