Baking Cakes in Kigali
An episodic, breezy read in spite of its setting in a post-genocidal Rwanda - serious subjects are mentioned through euphemism (e.g. "the virus" instead of AIDS), and past traumas (like mass graves) appear in ways that seem, at times, heavy-handed.
There's a strong tendency to have the characters explain any necessary background / facts through the dialogue, which could strike some readers as being unnatural. The repetitive commentary about the Wazungus (white foreigners) was also a little simplistic - it's meant to be insightful, occasionally humorous, and sometimes critical, but doesn't begin to approximate the complexities a subject like race relations would have in a continent with a long colonial history - it's missing a genuine sense of reflection, bite, and pathos.
Recommended with reservations for readers seeking an entertaining story, but not for those expecting a deeper consideration of contemporary Rwanda.
Rated of 5
by Jan M. (Jenks, OK)
Baking Cakes in Kigali
My reaction as I read this book was "sweet." The repetitive detail about cakes and the tea were almost too much at first, but later on I began to see that there was more to Angel. Her wisdom and compassion and sometimes devious methods made for an interesting read. I loved all her matchmaking, and I cheered at the faked female circumcision. I've traveled in Tanzania and camped near the hippos, so Angels' description of the sound from Omar's nose really cracked me up. Although the stories are completely different, the writer's style is very much like that of Alexander McCall Smith. If I were the editor of this book, I would suggest less cake and tea and more about Angel's friends and family.
Rated of 5
by Jennifer W. (Mamaroneck, NY)
Baking Cakes in Kigali
I enjoyed reading a novel set in Rwanda, and it was very easy to warm to the main character, Angel, and the positive message of reconciliation, however, the plotting was rather weak resulting in somewhat static characters. The great joy of a novel for a reader is the opportunity to vicariously witness change, growth and transformation while you are in the author's charge. In this story I couldn't shake the sensation of ending up right where we started 300 plus pages earlier. While it was a pleasant journey, it wasn't an all-together compelling one.
Rated of 5
by Kimberly H. (Stamford, CT)
A Tale in Rwanda
I appreciate that this is a first novel for this author and the premise and basis of the story is more than valid. The writing was average and this would be a great book for high school students trying to understand what happened in Rwanda in 1994. An easy read, divided into sections and characters, where the main character Angel, reaches out to neighbors, friends and strangers, by baking cakes for special occasions in her new world. She tries to create hope in a land that was torn asunder by horrific circumstances.
I felt the characters were underdeveloped and that she tried to pack a lot in, but overall a good summer read.
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by KR (Gilbert, AZ)
