Baking Cakes in Kigali (by Gaile Parkin, 2009)
A bit about the author: According to Google books, Gaile was born and raised in Zambia and studied at universities in South Africa and England. She has lived in many different parts of Africa. She is currently a freelance consultant in the fields of education, gender and HIV/AIDS.
What a treat to have a book of such substance delivered in such a "sweet" read! Angel Tangaraza, a pillar of society, touches her neighbours' lives with as much sweetness as she offers on the icing of her cakes. She lives in a compound in Rwanda with her husband who works as a science lecturer at the local university. Together they are raising their five grandchildren.
We meet her neighbours and friends as they order cakes for the various events in their lives. As she often reminds her clients, she is a 'professional somebody'.She sits quietly and listens, but often needs to clean her glassess to help them see matters 'more clearly'. Amidst much wiping, they share their secrets one by one.
There's Leocadie, the local shopkeeper, who is desperately hoping to give birth to a boy so that the father will marry her and she can be part of a family. And Ken, her upstairs Japanese neighbour who is hooked on karaoke. In another instance, Angel is very disapproving of a cake she is asked to make for the christening of a baby girl. She is asked to write the child's name- "Good Enough"- in icing on the top. As the father explains, he was hoping for a boy but the girl is good enough (lots of glasses wiping during this conversation!) After a diplomatic chat with the mother, the cake is presented to little baby girl "Perfect"!
As Angel helps the members of her community, she is able to address and deal with her own demons and the hurt in her family.
This book is full of hilarious and tender moments, but don't be fooled by the lightness of the prose- this book deals with deep and important issues. Parkin gently weaves this tender story around the impact of the Rwandan genocide, violence and broken families. It addresses the HIV/AIDs epidemic, mental health, gender expectations and the value of community.
This is a lightweight read that tackles heavy weigh issues in a humorous yet sensitive manner. I highly recommend it. Gaile Parkin's following book, 'When hoopoes go to heaven' will definately be next on my list after this delightful read!
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