Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson

“The thing about people, Benny thinks, you can look at a person and truly have no idea what they are holding inside.”

Black Cake is the book that kept me company through the past week of my surgery and coming home to recuperate. I chose this audiobook somewhat on a whim, but I could not have selected a more perfect story. I don't know if I can come close to doing it justice but I am sincerely going to try.

The narration of this book is such a beautiful compliment to the atmospheric family saga that I am going to highly recommend you listen to it, if audiobooks are your thing. However, after I finished I knew I needed a copy of the hardcover for my shelves because I never want to forget it. I want to look at this gorgeous cover and remember a story about a mother's selfless love, a tradition that bonded families over time and across countries. I want to recall the selfless and strong women in a masterfully told narrative— their sacrifices and their ultimate redemption.

I am not exaggerating when I say that I did not want this book to end. I was lulled by the beautifully crafted story told via some of the best writing I've experienced in some time, in the voices of two talented narrators that took the experience to another level. All the stars.