Baking Cakes in Kigali

Shortlisted for the 2010 McKitterick Prize Meet Angel Tungaraza, professional cake-baker, amateur matchmaker, an ear to listen and a shoulder to cry on. A uniquely charming, funny and touching novel of life, life and food set in Rwanda, a country recovers from unimaginable terror and violence. Angel Tungazara runs a small business, baking cakes for the parties and celebrations of her neighbours. As her customers tell her their stories, Angel comes to realize how much each of them has to mourn as well as what they have to celebrate. And, finally, she comes to accept how much that is true of her too... This is a uniquely charming, gently moving, deliciously funny novel about life, love and cake. Ultimately, it shows how the human spirit - even when pushed to its limits - endures and unifies us all.

Gaile Parkin was born and raised in Zambia, and studied at universities in South Africa and England. She has lived in many different parts of Africa, including Rwanda, where Baking Cakes in Kigali is set. She is currently a freelance consultant in the fields of education, gender and HIV/AIDS.