Germantown Novel Views Book Club - In Person

"Black Cake" by Charmaine Wilkerson

Join us to discuss the "Black Cake" by Charmaine Wilkerson.

The Novel Views Book Club will meet in Group Study Room 5, located on the lower level of the library, in the Children's Room 

Join the Germantown Novel Views Book Club to discuss the One Maryland, One Book selection "Black Cake" by Charmaine Wilkerson.

"In this moving debut novel, two estranged siblings must set aside their differences to deal with their mother's death and her hidden past--a journey of discovery that takes them from the Caribbean to London to California and ends with her famous black cake. In present-day California, Eleanor Bennett's death leaves behind a puzzling inheritance for her two children, Byron and Benny: a traditional Caribbean 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 journey 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 family, 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"-- Provided by publisher.

Print copies may be available at the Germantown Library after November 5, 2025.

Available on Overdrive/Libby as an eBook.  and as an Audio ebook. 

Don't have a card right now?  No worries!  Find out how to Get a Library Card.

Questions about this program? Contact the branch at 240-777-0110

Accommodation Requests

People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing should request English-language captioning or sign-language interpretation at least five days before the library-sponsored program they plan to attend. Contact the Assistant Facilities and Accessibility Program Manager at 240-777-0002 with all other accommodation requests.

GEN 1.0 10/27/2021

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