English teacher Ashley Collins recently read “Black Cake” by Charmaine Wilkerson.
“I felt like the characters were really relatable. It was a different story,” Collins said. “So there was a Jamaican heritage, and then they moved to England. After that, they move to the U.S., so it’s just something different.”
The book is a generational fiction story about a deceased mother and what she left behind for her children. The children end up finding more information about their mother’s past. The mother leaves her children a recording and a traditional Caribbean cake recipe. The story really dives into their hidden past and how it is all significant and relevant to the cake.
“I read all sorts of things, but I try to read some young adult literature so I can talk to students about it,” Collins said. “I do like mysteries.”
Wilkerson does not have any other novels. However, she does have a few short stories in magazines. Her only book has been given awards such as the New York Times best seller. The book has been nominated by the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Historical Fiction and Goodreads Choice Award for Best Debut Novel.
“I would recommend this book for anyone who likes generational fiction or exploring other cultures,” Collins said.
Her debut novel focuses on heritage and identity. It talks about the inheritance of history, secrets, and memories of past relationships.