The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake

by Aimee Bender
The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake cover
Good Books rating 3.75
Magical Realism
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Paperback • £9.99
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Technical
  • ID: 2576
  • Added: 2025-10-15
  • Updated: 2025-10-19
  • ISBN: 9781446457108
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2011-02-08
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4

On her ninth birthday, Rose Edelstein takes a bite of her mother's lemon-chocolate cake and gains a unique ability: she can taste her mother's emotions. This gift, or curse, forces her to confront the hidden sadness and desperation within her family. As Rose grows up, she navigates the challenges of loving those she knows too much about, revealing the secrets that exist within every family. /n/nThe Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake is a profound and poignant exploration of family dynamics, love, and the complexities of human emotions. With a blend of humor and sadness, the novel delves into the intricate relationships between parents and children, siblings, and the unspoken truths that bind them together.

Reviews
The BookBag · Luci Davin · 2025-10-18
heartwarming 4.50

The novel's quirky title and premise are matched by a compelling narrative that explores the complexities of family and emotion. The reviewer found the story moving and well-crafted.

Luci Davin highlights the novel's unique title and premise, which are effectively matched by a compelling narrative that delves into the intricacies of family dynamics and emotional depth. The reviewer finds the story moving and well-crafted, appreciating the way Bender balances the magical and the realistic elements. While the concept is intriguing, the execution is praised for its ability to create a resonant and thought-provoking reading experience.

Quick quotes

    Behind the quirky title and the magical premise lies a deeply emotional and compelling story.

    Bender's writing is both poignant and evocative, drawing the reader into the emotional landscape of her characters.

    The novel's exploration of family dynamics is both insightful and heartwarming.

Reading, Writing and Me · 2024-09-25
mixed 3.00

The concept is compelling and relatable, but the execution falls short of its potential.

The reviewer finds the novel moving and compelling, with elements that resonate on a personal level. However, they feel the execution does not fully live up to the promising concept. The story's emotional depth and relatability are highlighted, but the reviewer notes that the overall delivery could have been stronger to fully capture the potential of the idea.

Quick quotes

    I found it moving, compelling, and in some ways, relatable.

    The problem is that the concept is far better than the ultimate execution.

    Rose's journey is both heartbreaking and insightful.

The Guardian · 2011-02-04
engaging 4.00

The novel is quirky and engaging, exploring family dynamics and the hidden divides within relationships.

This reviewer praises the novel for its quirky and engaging narrative, which delves into the complexities of family dynamics. The story's exploration of the ties that bind people together while highlighting the chasms that divide them is particularly noted. The reviewer appreciates the novel's ability to blend the ordinary with the extraordinary, making it a unique and captivating read.

Quick quotes

    In this quirky, engaging tale of a family endowed with unlikely gifts, the ties that bind people barely conceal the chasms that divide them.

    The novel blends the ordinary with the extraordinary in a captivating way.

    Aimee Bender's writing is both wise and sad, making the novel a profound experience.

The Millions · 2010-06-14
intriguing 3.50

The book subtly critiques modern food culture and can be seen as a locavore dystopia. The narrative's depth is appreciated with the right mindset.

This reviewer sees the novel as a thought-provoking exploration of food and emotions, suggesting it can be interpreted as a locavore dystopia. They appreciate the subtle commentary on modern food culture and how the book delves into the emotional weight of everyday experiences. The narrative's depth is best appreciated with an open and reflective mindset, making it a unique and engaging read.

Quick quotes

    Read with a certain mindset, the book can seem to portray a sort of locavore dystopia, subtly pointing out that we might not really want to know ...

    The narrative's depth is appreciated with the right mindset.

    The book subtly critiques modern food culture.

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