Gaile Parkin

Born and raised in Zambia, Gaile Parkin has lived and worked in many African countries. Her first job was in a Soweto still simmering from the violent uprising of the school students who had begun to loosen apartheid's control of the education system in South Africa. More recently she has worked in Rwanda, counselling women and girls who had survived the genocide. A published author of numerous school textbooks and children's books, Gaile has only recently turned her hand to writing fiction for adults...

Angel Tungaraza, professional cake-baker and amateur matchmaker, has recently moved to Rwanda with her husband, Pius. Angel busies herself looking after her five orphaned grandchildren and running her cake business from their home, catering for her neighbours and their friends...

'As you know, Angel,' the ambassador's wife was saying, 'it's traditional to celebrate a silver wedding anniversary with a cake just like the original wedding cake. Amos and I feel it's so important to follow our traditions, especially when we're away from home.'

'That is true, Mrs Ambassador,' agreed Angel, who was herself away from home. But as she examined the photograph, she was uncertain of the couple's claim to the traditions that they had embraced when choosing this cake twenty-five years ago. It was not like any traditional wedding cake she had seen in her home town of Bukoba in the west of Tanzania or in Dar es Salaam in the east of Tanzania. No, this cake was traditional to Wazungu, white people. It was completely white: white with white patterns decorating the white. Small white flowers with white leaves encircled the outer edges of the upper surface, and three white pillars on top of the cake held aloft another white cake that was a smaller replica of the one below. It was, quite simply, the most unattractive cake that she had ever seen...

Baking Cakes in Kigali is a novel in fourteen irresistible confections each telling a story. As Angel helps her customers to work through their problems, they in turn help her lay to rest the demons she has hidden deep inside until, finally, she is able to face the truth and to achieve her own peace.

First published in hardback in the UK by Atlantic Books 2009

Press:

‘Angel Tungaraza, cake maker and amateur matchmaker, is hell-bent on making her corner of the world a better place. A tricky task given that her new home is Rwanda – a country recovering from war and still reeling from the Aids-related death toll. With a lightness of touch, and a cast as colourful as one of Angel’s cakes, debut novelist Parkin deftly uncovers the joys and sorrows of the survivors. Fans of Precious Ramotswe will love this.’ Marie Claire

‘There’s nothing hesitant about Tanzanian Angel Tungaraza, the cake maker and amateur matchmaker is hell bent on making her little corner of the world a better place. A tricky task given that her new home is Rwanda – a country recovering from the atrocities of war, and still reeling from the AIDS related death toll. With a lightness of touch, Gaile Parkin’s Baking Cakes in Kigali deftly uncovers the joys (and there are many) and sorrows of the survivors. Fans of Precious Ramotswe from Alexander McCall Smith’s Number One Ladies Detective Agency will adore this too.’ Daily Mail

‘Wonderfully atmospheric.’ Red

‘If you liked The No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, you’ll love this.’ Woman & Home