Book Review: Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson

Initial insights

Charmaine Wilkerson's debut novel, Black Cake, is a coming-of-age saga that blends historical and contemporary fiction to tell the story of Eleanor Bennett and her children navigating their identity, heritage, and family secrets.

The story spans several decades and locations from 1950s West India to modern-day California where estranged siblings Byron and Benedetta (Benny) Bennett meet with their mother's estate lawyer in the wake of her death.

To their surprise, Eleanor had left a series of audio messages for them chronicling the tale of Covey, Bunny, and Gibbs, three young children from West India, and the challenges they faced growing up on the island. Along the way, the siblings uncover secrets about their family's past and their own identities as they try to come to terms with their mother's death and the wounds their family has endured.

Themes and Messages

One of the central themes of Black Cake is the blending of lives, traditions, histories, and the impact of trauma on future generations. Wilkerson masterfully weaves the narrative between past and present, giving readers a glimpse into the lives of Eleanor's children while also shedding light on the experiences that shaped their mother's life: good, bad, and ugly.

The Good

Aside from her family, Eleanor loved the ocean. Growing up on an island, she learned to surf from her mother and was one of the fastest swimmers in the cove, a fascination she passed on to her son Byron. Growing up in California, Byron didn't see many black surfers, but his mom taught him to surf and reminded him that many cultures, like the Caribbean, have long histories of surfing and swimming that predate colonialism. Through this, the author showcases the beauty of black culture and traditions that are often overlooked or erased in mainstream media and Western culture.

Similarly, Eleanor passed on her family Black Cake recipe (and love of cooking) to her daughter, Benny. The novel dives into the origins of black cake and how it represents the blending of cultures, with its mix of African, European, Asian, and Caribbean ingredients. The author highlights how trade before, during, and after the colonial period influenced foods, customs, and culture in the Caribbean and across the world.

The passing on of these two traditions — surfing and baking black cake — from mother to children, becomes a symbol of the wreckage of generational trauma but also the healing power of family, culture, and cake. Despite the traumas Eleanor experienced, she was able to preserve these traditions and pass them on to her children, creating a sense of belonging and connection to their heritage.

The Bad and the Ugly

Eleanor's life was not without hardship — she faced racism, sexism, and abuse throughout her life. Without spoiling the novel, she had to endure many difficult situations and decisions that affected her and her family. However, through it all, Eleanor never lost sight of who she was and where she came from.

Wilkerson also addresses darker themes such as generational trauma and bigotry within families. Through Byron and Beeny's relationships with one another and their parents, the author explores how past traumas and prejudices can continue to impact future generations, creating a cycle of pain and suffering.

Despite these difficult themes, the novel also sheds light on the resilience and strength within black communities. Through their shared culture and traditions, characters like Eleanor can find solace and connection with others who have faced similar struggles. The book showcases how these close-knit communities can provide support and healing in the face of adversity.

Family secrets

Another key element of Black Cake is the impact of family secrets on relationships and personal identity. Throughout the novel, characters grapple with hidden truths and their perceptions of themselves and their families. This highlights the importance of open and honest communication within families, as well as the damaging effects of keeping secrets.

The novel also touches on the idea of a chosen family, as characters often find support and understanding outside their blood relatives. This further emphasizes the power of connection and belonging, even in unconventional or non-traditional forms.

In addition to exploring complex family dynamics, Black Cake also delves into sexual identity, particularly for bisexual individuals. Wilkerson elegantly explores the nuances and challenges of navigating life as a bisexual woman through several characters, and how societal and familial expectations and stereotypes can greatly impact one's journey. This adds another layer of depth and complexity to the novel, highlighting the intersectionality of race, gender, and sexuality.

Healing and Growth

Ultimately, Black Cake is a story of healing and growth. Through their struggles and triumphs, characters learn to confront their past traumas and embrace their true selves as well as their loved ones. The author shows that while generational trauma may continue to haunt us, it is possible to break free from its hold and create a better future for ourselves.

The process of healing is not linear in the novel, as characters often face setbacks and make mistakes along the way. Still, it is a journey worth taking, as it leads to self-discovery and personal growth. Wilkerson beautifully portrays the messy and imperfect yet ultimately fulfilling process of healing.

Reflection

I didn't know black cake was called black cake. Growing up, I knew it as a fruit cake or Christmas cake. My grandmother used to bake it in a massive pot every December when she lived with us and now my mom does the same (not every Christmas though). Though they don't follow the same recipes or process, the result is delicious, comforting, and evocative of walking into the kitchen in our childhood home to the site of a tiny anvil on a pot and a cake cooked in foil. Surprisingly, my brother and I tease my mom for not making it the way my grandmother did mocking that it's not truly Christmas cake if it's not baked in a pot.

As I reflect on this memory, I realize that black cake has become more than just a dessert for my family. It holds deep sentimental value and serves as a reminder of our cultural traditions (wherever they originated) and family bonds. The process of making it may be messy and imperfect, but the result is satisfying and brings us all together during the holiday season.

This notion of imperfection leading to fulfillment can also be applied to the healing process. Just like making black cake, healing takes time, effort, and patience.

Like the family in Black Cake, mine has our own sets of scars that will likely never heal but I'd rather pass on the silly joyful moments, like teasing my mom about baking and burning Christmas cake in an air fryer, than constantly dwelling on the pain.

I suppose some day when my mom's no longer around I might make Christmas cake too from a recipe I find on the internet or a cookbook on my shelf. And I'll joke about how my granny made it her way, my mom made it a different way (and burnt it almost every time), and now I'm making it yet another way. And hopefully, in the process of making and singing and missing loved ones, I'll pass on a legacy of joy, gratitude, and black cake.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that delves into themes of family, identity, and resilience. Through its compelling characters and intricate plot, the novel captivates readers and invites them to reflect on their own experiences with family dynamics, trauma, and personal growth. Wilkerson's writing is both poignant and insightful, making Black Cake a must-read for anyone interested in exploring complex human relationships and the power of resilience.