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Black Cake

Written by: Charmaine Wilkerson
Narrated by: Lynnette R. Freeman, Simone Mcintyre
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Publisher's Summary

NOW A HULU STREAMING SERIES • NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • READ WITH JENNA BOOK CLUB PICK AS FEATURED ON TODAY • Two estranged siblings delve into their mother’s hidden past—and how it all connects to her traditional Caribbean black cake—in this immersive family saga, “a character-driven, multigenerational story that’s meant to be savored” (Time).

“Wilkerson transports you across the decades and around the globe accompanied by complex, wonderfully drawn characters.”—Taylor Jenkins Reid, New York Times bestselling author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Daisy Jones & The Six, and Malibu Rising

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: Oprah Daily, NPR, BuzzFeed, Glamour, PopSugar, Book Riot, She Reads

We can’t choose what we inherit. But can we choose who we become?

In present-day California, Eleanor Bennett’s death leaves behind a puzzling inheritance for her two children, Byron and Benny: a black cake, made from a family recipe with a long history, and a voice recording. In her message, Eleanor shares a tumultuous story about a headstrong young swimmer who escapes her island home under suspicion of murder. The heartbreaking tale Eleanor unfolds, the secrets she still holds back, and the mystery of a long-lost child challenge everything the siblings thought they knew about their lineage and themselves.

Can Byron and Benny reclaim their once-close relationship, piece together Eleanor’s true history, and fulfill her final request to “share the black cake when the time is right”? Will their mother’s revelations bring them back together or leave them feeling more lost than ever?

Charmaine Wilkerson’s debut novel is a story of how the inheritance of betrayals, secrets, memories, and even names can shape relationships and history. Deeply evocative and beautifully written, Black Cake is an extraordinary journey through the life of a family changed forever by the choices of its matriarch.

©2022 Charmaine Wilkerson (P)2022 Random House Audio
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What the critics say

Black Cake is a character-driven, multigenerational story that’s meant to be savored. . . . Thought-provoking and poignant.”Time

“A thrilling debut novel about sibling ties and hidden family history.”Glamour

“As delicious as the titular dessert.”W Magazine

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There is nothing like finding a new fiction audiobook to fall in love with and escape the challenges of everyday life. We’ve curated a delightful list of some of the best fiction audiobooks on Audible to curl up with and find a few minutes of escapism. From blissful love stories to alternate realities full of dazzling adventure, we’ve chosen these must-listen titles for their ability to transport you to new realities, if even for a little while. Life can get overwhelming, but the thrill of finding a new audiobook to get swept up in is unmatched. So press play and get lost in these worlds of short stories, fantasy, magic and escapades that will leave you breathless.

What listeners say about Black Cake

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Our Fathers Sins

Great book of perseverance and doing what needs to be done to survive life and all it's curve balls.

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Loved it

Our book club chose this book and it was a great pick. It covers so many different topics and kept our attention the entire time.

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Love Transcends Time

This was such a beautiful story; it seamlessly weaved together the past and the present all to show how love transcends time and even death.

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Amazing book!

WoW, just so good!
Easy to fall in love with the story and characters. Really recommend.

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Very enjoyable

This book slowly grabbed my interest so I could not stop listening. I enjoyed the characters and their stories. Well done.

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Fantastic book

Great book with many levels of character narratives - and the narrator is amazing in her delivery

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Narration was amazing!

I listened to this book because Oprah recommended. It didn’t disappoint but the characters in the beginning were hard to follow. Hang in there. Evolves nicely. Great ending.

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An Emotional Adventure

I struggled to finish this book - not because I didn't love it or find it enthralling - but because I didn't want to stop listening, even when I had to see to the needs of my own life! I laughed and cried throughout the story. I heard my own family's stories in parts of the characters' experiences. I saw my own in the experiences of the North American children learning about their family history. I will be telling everyone I know about this book!

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The writer's ability to capture your interest is commendable.

I liked the fact the story took place in three countries and in the end we did find out who murdered Little man.

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How keeping secrets can shape a person's life in interesting ways.

I watched the series before listening to the book. The movie version is a little different but the gist is there. I loved both versions. Having seen the movie and then listening to the audible gave me a good visual of the characters and how they looked. The casting was very good. I highly recommend this book. It is a wonderful story of the complicated journey our lives can take and the legacy that we will all inevitably leave behind.

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