Cake

by Sandra Newman

Where are the female writers to take on Chuck Palahniuk and Kurt Vonnegut? Enter Sandra Newman with her show-stopping second novel

Genres: Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mental Illness, Contemporary, Novels

272 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2007

Reviews

[H]

Funny. Terrifying. Provocative. Grotesque. Hilarious. Sad. Beautiful. Poignant. Crazy. Psychotic. Edgy. Miserable. Misery. Tears. Ha. Love. Passion. Passion. Sex. Fucking. Self harm. Paedophile. Death. Dying. Murder. Cancer. Obese. Fat. Religion. Rich. Money. Diary. Off kilter. Madness. Engaging. Escapism. Drugs. Hedonistic. Children. Innocence. Drink. Drugs. Drink. France. London. America. Mutilation. Art. Lies. Thief. Theft. Apologies. Insincere. Laughter. Mocking. Beauty. Ethereal. Heaven. Hell. God.

I started out haltingly, disliking how it's written. Half way through I was gripped & wouldn't you know it, by the end it was love... A unique piece of modern writing by an author who isn't afraid to over step a few boundaries and then some! You just have to let this one sweep you up & carry you away.

[daisy]

disturbing and jarring and nothing quite like anything else ive read. unsure what id rate it bc several times i would just sort of be scanning the pages going "what the fuck even is this" but then id get to another chapter and something would get REVEALED and then id be like "oh shit oh fuck this is madness"

[Leeyanne Moore]

Cake is a provocative work of narrative. Though all the elements of a female serial-killer whodunnit are there, Newman chose instead to send a big 'fuck you' to the pot-boiler template, presenting the work instead as a collage pastiche of connections and disconnections between Londoners living in a blurry world and addicted to the painful beauty involved in longing for what we shouldn't have. Many reversals take place, but again, not through plot reversals as a thriller would have done, but through deliberate thematic juxtapositions. Slum becomes art, objectified becomes objectifier, keeper becomes kept, etc.

If you liked Heidi Julavits' work, such as The Uses of Enchantment, then Cake should interest you.

[Zoe Street]

Most upsetting book I’ve read since lolita when I was like 16

[Pris]

This is a good book, lyrical in a funny, claustrophobic, airless sort of way. Builds narrative spell in short, spiky sections. Satirical of London art types (check out Peter Piper), confused about relationships, warm towards her characters, but ... there's a sharp, observant wit that wins you over more. Finally moving.

[Megan]

this book is an excellent study in nonlinear narrative. the characters are somewhat michelle tea-ish, a lot of broke punks and artists. takes place in london. a sensational story, involving murder, sexaholism, incest, that is not delivered as such. dark humor; terrific writing.

[Andrea]

So good! Read this one!

[Howard]

Relentless and disturbing. The writing and the characters are both sharp and clear as a hit of really good coke. Funnier, though.