The novel moves between this narrative and the lives of her two children, her son successful and her daughter, a confused and wayward girl who has lost contact with her mother. The frequent name changes of some characters and the short chapters jumping from the earlier to the later generation creates some confusion. The novel is held together by the trope of the ‘black cake”, a rich fruit cake made with loads of rum. This very cake remained a family favourite even though a version of it was used to poison the husband at the first wedding.
A lightish read with some interesting insights into Caribbean culture.
Next session - Tuesday 5 September: 'Lessons in Chemistry', by Bonnie Garmus. California, 1960s. A scientist and single mum becomes a TV star.
Meg Dillon