Fiction Pick of the Week: Baking Cakes in Kigali

Baking Cakes in Kigali by Gaile Parkin 2009

First time author Gaile Parkin, who was born and raised in Zambia, has set her debut novel in Rwanda. Angel Tungaraza is a transplanted Tanzanian, professional baker, amateur matchmaker and is raising her five orphaned grandchildren. There are many characters each with their own story to tell of how Rwanda has affected them. Angel is the medium through whom Parkin tells the stories of tragedy, humour, love, reconciliation and ultimately hope that are Rwanda. Parkin has written a funny, poignant and moving first novel. Fans of Alexander McCall Smith’s No. 1 Detective Agency will like this book too.