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Book Review of The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake
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Helpful Score: 1


Aimee Bender does Magical Realism (a genre that I enjoy) L.A.-style, in a coming-of-age story with several twists.

The story follows Rose, who just before her 9th birthday develops the ability to taste the emotions of whoever prepared her food. Given her mother's emotional turmoil, this is quite a problem. The book focuses on her 9th, 13th and 17th years, since she sees those as the most pivotal in her young life, although the book concludes in her early 20s.

Beautiful prose combined with an interesting plot and sympathetic characters make for a worthwhile read.