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Interesting,
Confusing,
Gloomy

10 reviews

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake
by Aimee Bender

Published: 2011-04-19
Paperback : 304 pages
8 members reading this now
42 clubs reading this now
9 members have read this book
Recommended to book clubs by 7 of 10 members

On the eve of her ninth birthday, unassuming Rose Edelstein bites into her mother's homemade lemon-chocolate cake and discovers she has a magical gift: she can taste her mother’s emotions in the slice. To her horror, she finds that her cheerful mother tastes of despair. Soon, she’s ...

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Introduction

On the eve of her ninth birthday, unassuming Rose Edelstein bites into her mother's homemade lemon-chocolate cake and discovers she has a magical gift: she can taste her mother’s emotions in the slice. To her horror, she finds that her cheerful mother tastes of despair. Soon, she’s  privy to the secret knowledge that most families keep hidden: her father’s detachment, her mother’s transgression, her brother’s increasing retreat from the world. But there are some family secrets that even her cursed taste buds can’t discern.

Editorial Review

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Discussion Questions

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Notes From the Author to the Bookclub

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Book Club Recommendations

Food
by aperrigo (see profile) 06/07/11
Bring lemon cake (which let Rose know there was something odd going on with her) and Doritos (which ended up being one of the few things she could eat because they were touched by no human hands!)

Member Reviews

Overall rating:
 
 
by Hanie B. (see profile) 05/21/16

 
  "The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake"by Jennifer Z. (see profile) 10/16/12

Well, well. This was a highly discussable book, particularly based on the fact that not one of the 9 members of our group could really pinpoint what actually happened in the book. The discussion veered... (read more)

 
  "Good choice for book club"by Stephanie L. (see profile) 02/27/12

An interesting story that lends itself to good discussions.

 
  "The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake"by Diane L. (see profile) 07/09/11

Few people in our group liked this book, many thought it was pointless. As often happens when our group is split in their opinion, it prompted a very lively discussion. For that reason, I found it to... (read more)

 
  "The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake"by Kate G. (see profile) 07/08/11

A couple of members of my book club liked the style and idea behind this novel, while the rest of us found it ultimately unsatisfying. Most of us did not mind the magical aspect of the story, but felt... (read more)

 
  "Hoped for better!"by Stephanie R. (see profile) 06/18/11

Rose learns at 9 years old that she can read the emotions of the people behind the food she eats. Others in her family are also revealed to have supernatural abilities, but the book isn't interesting... (read more)

 
  "Weird"by Suzze T. (see profile) 06/16/11

Great discussion for a weird book. Starts out great but takes a turn that is hard to believe.

 
  "Not sure what to think..."by Trica B. (see profile) 06/16/11

 
  "The Particular Sadness of the Lemon Cake"by Ann P. (see profile) 06/07/11

Our club had widely varied opinions on this title. All pretty much agreed that much of the writing was lovely, and that it held their attention, and they wanted to finish it. We ended up with lots of... (read more)

 
  "An Interesting departure led me to a dead end..."by Alicia P. (see profile) 05/17/11

This book started off semi interesting although I was put off by the gloominess at the begining and then throughout. I convinced myself that it would amount to something fascinating, but it ... (read more)

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