Gaile Parkin Libri

Once in a great while, a debut novelist dazzles us with rare eloquence and humanity, taking us to bold new places and into unimaginable lives. Gaile Parkin is such a talent, and her novel is a gloriously written tale set in modern-day Rwanda. It introduces a singular and engaging character: Angel Tungaraza—mother, cake baker, and keeper of secrets—living on the edge of chaos while transforming lives and creating hope amid the madness surrounding her. In Kigali, Angel runs a bustling business baking cakes for all occasions, each filled with vibrant color, buttery richness, and a unique sense of hope. A CIA agent’s wife seeks the perfect holiday cake but leaves with something sweeter; a former boy-soldier orders an engagement cake and shares an enthralling story; weary human rights workers and lovesick limo drivers find solace in her kitchen. Amid this cacophony of native tongues, love affairs, and confessions, Angel’s kitchen becomes an oasis where secrets are shared and hope flourishes. In this unlikely setting, unexpected events unfold: a most unusual wedding is planned, a heartbreaking family mystery unravels, and extraordinary connections form among those who have tasted Angel’s beautiful cakes. As a chain of events unfolds, it will change Angel’s life and the lives of those around her in astonishing ways.

From the author of Baking Cakes in Kigali comes the irresistible story of Benedict Tungazara, a ten-year-old boy in Swaziland who loves beautiful birds, his mother's cakes, and making people happy...