Black Cake Audiobook By Charmaine Wilkerson cover art

Black Cake

A Novel

Preview

Get this deal Try for $0.00
Offer ends April 30, 2025 at 11:59PM PT.
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible? Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Black Cake

By: Charmaine Wilkerson
Narrated by: Lynnette R. Freeman, Simone Mcintyre
Get this deal Try for $0.00

$14.95/mo. after 3 months. Offer ends April 30, 2025 11:59PM PT. Cancel anytime.

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $20.25

Buy for $20.25

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

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
African American Coming of Age Genre Fiction Women's Fiction Heartfelt Scary

Critic reviews

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

Featured Article: Best of the Year—The 13 Best Debuts of 2022


Looking back, it is hard to ignore the impact made by so many debut novelists in distinguishing 2022’s listening scene. We feel the untapped magic and momentum that radiate from debut novels often generate the buzz that defines a year and creates its most electric literary moments. Ranging from brooding, stormy stories to bubbly, heartfelt listens, these fresh voices each uniquely made a big splash in 2022.

What listeners say about Black Cake

Highly rated for:

Captivating Storyline Rich Character Development Authentic Accents Vivid Descriptions Emotional Depth
Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    4,956
  • 4 Stars
    1,409
  • 3 Stars
    479
  • 2 Stars
    105
  • 1 Stars
    55
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    5,031
  • 4 Stars
    922
  • 3 Stars
    228
  • 2 Stars
    50
  • 1 Stars
    36
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    4,456
  • 4 Stars
    1,202
  • 3 Stars
    422
  • 2 Stars
    99
  • 1 Stars
    65

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely brilliant story writer.

I listened to the audible version and throughly enjoyed the book. I would highly recommended this book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Black cake

I really wasn’t sure whether I would like this book, because i just took a chance and bought it whilst on the beach, I didn’t even read any reviews.
I loved everything about this book!
Worth the credit!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A girl with the will to live!

A beautiful story that will forever be one of my favorite books. It is a story about heartbreak, loneliness, and love. I definitely recommend

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A very moving story!

Well written; it kept me intrigued. Thanks for showing us in very diverse roles, as in real life.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Many Characters

This story ended up nicely, but it was confusing to keep up with all the characters.
I enjoyed it, but had to concentrate to keep up with the characters.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Narrator: Lynnette R Freeman

What a beautiful and articulate voice. Her voice characterization took me from my reality and drooped me straight into the pages of the lives in Black Cale.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Bringing the Diaspora Alive

An excellent debut novel. This story speaks to the commonality and differences shared throughout the world. New ideas and world views to explore.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

very good read!! I highly recommend

l really enjoyed this book I couldn't stop listening. I could read this again

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing story telling

Read this book ! It has me thinking that I need I need to research other stories like this this in real life and searching up black cake recipes lol

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Agree with other reviews

This book was brilliant in the beginning, but as others have stated, it just unraveled. I think if it had been edited a little more aggressively, it would have been one of my favorite books, but unfortunately, I found myself wanting it to end. It was just too much.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!