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Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson
Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson
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Black Cake: A Novel
by Charmaine Wilkerson
"A character-driven, multigenerational story that's meant to be savored."
🍰 AN IMMERSIVE JOURNEY OF FAMILY AND INHERITANCE
A #1 New York Times Bestseller and Hulu Original Series, this debut novel explores how secrets, betrayals, and even recipes shape the history of a family across generations.
Extended Synopsis
In Black Cake, Charmaine Wilkerson delivers an evocative family saga that begins in present-day California following the death of Eleanor Bennett. She leaves behind a puzzling inheritance for her two estranged children, Byron and Benny: a traditional Caribbean black cake made from a family recipe with a long, tumultuous history, and a voice recording that shatters everything they thought they knew about their lineage.
Eleanor’s message unfolds the heartbreaking tale of a headstrong young swimmer who fled her island home under suspicion of murder. As Byron and Benny listen, they are transported across decades and around the globe, uncovering the mystery of a long-lost child and secrets their mother held back until her final moments. The siblings must decide if they can reclaim their once-close relationship and fulfill Eleanor’s final request: "share the black cake when the time is right." It is a profound exploration of how we are shaped by the choices of those who came before us.
Author Profile
Charmaine Wilkerson is an American writer who has lived in Jamaica and Italy. A graduate of Barnard College and Stanford University, she is a former journalist whose debut novel, Black Cake, became an instant New York Times bestseller and a "Read with Jenna" book club pick. Her work is celebrated for its complex characterizations and rich, global perspectives.
Reader Targeting & Academic Utility
- Multigenerational Fiction Fans: Readers who enjoy immersive stories about family secrets and the lasting impact of cultural heritage.
- Literary Criticism Students: A premier text for analyzing themes of identity, diaspora, and the symbolism of food in contemporary literature.
- Media Studies: An excellent case study for successful book-to-screen adaptations, specifically within the Hulu streaming landscape.
Awards & Recognition
- A New York Times Bestseller.
- "Read with Jenna" Book Club Pick.
- Best Book of the Year honors from NPR, Oprah Daily, BuzzFeed, and PopSugar.
Product Specifications
| ISBN-13: | 9780593358351 |
| ISBN-10: | 059335835X |
| Publisher: | Ballantine Books (Random House) |
| Binding: | Paperback |
| Publication Date: | 2022-11-29 |
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