Black Cake, Week 3

Welcome to Week 3 of the Online Book Club discussion of Black Cake.

How relieved were you when Covey was alive at the beginning of this section? I definitely had expected her to survive her escape, but it was good to have confirmation nonetheless. Were you surprised that Bunny was able to find Covey? 

Did you expect that Covey was Byron and Benny's mother? I couldn't think of any other reason why we were reading about Covey if she were not connected to the family, so I wasn't surprised when she revealed that detail. I can't imagine how thrown Byron and Benny were when listening to their mother tell them all of her secrets. I think that would be incredibly hard to hear. 

What surprised you most about Covey's life after she left home? It was definitely really surprising when her friend, Elly, died, and Covey inadvertantly took her identity. What did you think when that happened? Did you think that was too far-fetched for the story? Did you feel sad about Elly's death? What did you think about the scene where Covey was attacked? I thought the pages where Covey talks about having her baby ripped away from her were incredibly hard to read. I just can't imagine that kind of grief. I don't know how she was strong enough to keep going and have a life after the baby was taken. Covey was so strong and brave. 

Were you shocked when Covey and Gibbs reunited? I was surprised that she was able to find him again. I'm glad they ended up together. Covey deserved that happiness. Were you surprised by how easy it was for Gibbs and Covey to change their names and become new people? I'm not sure that people would be able to do that in our society now. Were just so much more connected now. I think it would be harder for people to start fresh with a new life and a new name. 

Does it surprise you that Bunny (Etta) became such a successful swimmer? It seemed like she was always in Covey's shadow, so it's interesting that she was able to make such a successful career for herself. Were you glad that Bunny and Covey were able to talk to each other a little bit before Covey died? 

Did you feel any different about Covey after you read about her surfing accident after her husband died? The accident that wasn't really an accident because Covey hoped that she would die that day. Are you surprised she would do something like that? How do you think the children would have reacted had they known the truth about that day? 

I thought it was really sad that Benny wrote a letter to her mother but never sent it. Don't you think that's really sad? I wonder if they could have reconciled and spent time together before Covey's death. Did it surprise you that Byron felt so betrayed after he found out that Covey had reached out to Benny? Did it also surprise you to learn that Gibbs visited Benny once but was unable to get out of the car? I thought that detail was pretty heartbreaking. 

At the end of this section, we meet Marble Martin. How do you think she relates to this story? Do you think she's Covey's long-lost daughter? Isn't it interesting that she talks about culture and food? 

Are you excited to read the next section? Are you excited to finally get all of the answers to any questions you have about the characters? Before you go, check out this Featurette about the Hulu series. Does the series seem true to the book? 

Thanks for following along this week. I hope you'll leave a comment to let me know your thoughts on this section. Make sure to finish the book before coming back next week.  I look forward to hearing from you in the comments!