BAKING CAKES IN KIGALI

The voice of Angel Tungaraza is kind, sympathetic, and always authoritative as she goes about her business of baking cakes in the Rwandan city of Kigali. For Angel, baking cakes is more than a way to earn money for her family; it’s how she connects with the people around her, cares for her friends, and eases the pain of the past. Adenrele Ojo narrates the story with precision, switching among the different accents—African and American—without pause. She gives middle-aged Angel a warm, comforting tone as she takes care of her five orphaned grandchildren while never forgetting that she is a "professional somebody." Parkin gives just enough background on the Rwandan civil wars to provide an understanding of what Angel and her neighbors have lived through, but the heart this book is a wonderful listen for anyone who enjoys food and the closeness of family. R.A. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2010]