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The Edge of Water
Set between Nigeria and New Orleans, The Edge of Water tells the story of a young woman who dreams of life in America, as the collision of traditional prophecy and individual longing tests the bonds of a family during a devastating storm.
In Ibadan, Nigeria, a mother receives a divination that foretells danger for her daughter in America. In spite of this warning, she allows her to forge her own path, and Amina arrives in New Orleans filled with hope. But just as Amina begins to find her way, a hurricane threatens to destroy the city, upending everything she’d dreamed of and the lives of all she holds dear. Years later, her daughter is left with questions about the mother she barely knew, and the family she has yet to discover in Nigeria.
Exploring the love of a determined mother and dreaming daughter who do not say enough to each other until it is too late, the detangling of Yoruba Christianity, traditional religion, and folklore, and the tellings of three generations of daring women—through times of longing, promise, and romance, as well as heartbreak—Olufunke Grace Bankole’s The Edge of Water is a luminous debut novel about a young woman brave enough to leave all she knows behind, and the way her fate transforms a family destined to stay together.
In Ibadan, Nigeria, a mother receives a divination that foretells danger for her daughter in America. In spite of this warning, she allows her to forge her own path, and Amina arrives in New Orleans filled with hope. But just as Amina begins to find her way, a hurricane threatens to destroy the city, upending everything she’d dreamed of and the lives of all she holds dear. Years later, her daughter is left with questions about the mother she barely knew, and the family she has yet to discover in Nigeria.
Exploring the love of a determined mother and dreaming daughter who do not say enough to each other until it is too late, the detangling of Yoruba Christianity, traditional religion, and folklore, and the tellings of three generations of daring women—through times of longing, promise, and romance, as well as heartbreak—Olufunke Grace Bankole’s The Edge of Water is a luminous debut novel about a young woman brave enough to leave all she knows behind, and the way her fate transforms a family destined to stay together.
272 pages, Paperback
First published February 4, 2025
68 people are currently reading
11655 people want to read
About the author
Olufunke Grace Bankole
2 books56 followersOlufunke Grace Bankole is a Nigerian American writer and novelist. A graduate of Harvard Law School, and a recipient of a Soros Justice Advocacy Fellowship, her work has appeared in various literary journals, including Ploughshares, Glimmer Train Stories, AGNI, Michigan Quarterly Review, New Letters, The Antioch Review, Stand Magazine (UK), and elsewhere.
She won the first-place prize in the Glimmer Train Short-Story Award for New Writers, and was the Bread Loaf-Rona Jaffe Scholar in Fiction at the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference. She has been awarded an Oregon Literary Fellowship in Fiction, a Ludwig Vogelstein Foundation grant, a residency-fellowship from the Anderson Center at Tower View, and has received a Pushcart Special Mention for her writing.
Bankole's debut novel, THE EDGE OF WATER, set between Nigeria and New Orleans, is the story of Amina, a young woman, who dreams of life in America, as the collision of traditional prophecy and individual longing tests the bonds of a family during a devastating storm. It will be published by Tin House Books on February 4, 2025.
She won the first-place prize in the Glimmer Train Short-Story Award for New Writers, and was the Bread Loaf-Rona Jaffe Scholar in Fiction at the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference. She has been awarded an Oregon Literary Fellowship in Fiction, a Ludwig Vogelstein Foundation grant, a residency-fellowship from the Anderson Center at Tower View, and has received a Pushcart Special Mention for her writing.
Bankole's debut novel, THE EDGE OF WATER, set between Nigeria and New Orleans, is the story of Amina, a young woman, who dreams of life in America, as the collision of traditional prophecy and individual longing tests the bonds of a family during a devastating storm. It will be published by Tin House Books on February 4, 2025.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews
January 2, 2025
2.75. The Edge of Water is a debut that shows promise, but isn’t quite there yet. Bankole’s story bounces back and forth from Nigeria to the US, specifically New Orleans and the Bay Area, and tells the story of three generations of Yoruba women. Using the Ifa divination system as a frame, the first person perspectives are interspersed with chapters of an all-knowing Iyanifa who continues the narrative by filling in the details that can’t be told from the characters’ firsthand accounts. This framing device is a great idea and absolutely could work in this story, but in its current form it is relied on too heavily to tell explicitly how everyone feels, thinks, and acts, rather than be forced to show it in a more natural way.
There were far too many details written about things and characters that were not relevant, giving the book a bloated feel and detracting from the central characters and their plight. It often felt disjointed at the sentence level, I had the urge to delete and rearrange sentences on the page into an order that felt more coherent.
I think a lot of the issues I had with this are common with debut authors—feeling the need to over explain, wanting to squeeze in more than is wise, and giving more detail than is necessary—but that is where the editor is meant to step in and give guidance. I’m frustrated because the story and themes are compelling, but its potency is lost in the execution.
Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy.
There were far too many details written about things and characters that were not relevant, giving the book a bloated feel and detracting from the central characters and their plight. It often felt disjointed at the sentence level, I had the urge to delete and rearrange sentences on the page into an order that felt more coherent.
I think a lot of the issues I had with this are common with debut authors—feeling the need to over explain, wanting to squeeze in more than is wise, and giving more detail than is necessary—but that is where the editor is meant to step in and give guidance. I’m frustrated because the story and themes are compelling, but its potency is lost in the execution.
Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy.
August 5, 2025
The Edge of Water by Olufunke Grace Bankole was a good book for a debut. I gelt there were some descriptions that were not only unnecessary but the visual was just down right gross. For that my rating dropped.
December 1, 2024
The Edge of Water was completely engrossing.
Not my normal read, it has been some time since I sat with literary fiction. This book pulled me in so quickly and the story of a Nigerian mother and daughter took over my entire day, I could not put it down.
The story follows two POVs, mother Esther and daughter Amina over decades. Both Yoruba, the religious beliefs and folklore play a huge role in their decisions and the story throughout.
Esther, a strong pillar of a woman is determined to hold her own destiny. She starts her own restaurant business and wants to be as self reliant as possible, yet she knows the richest destiny for daughter Amina- is marriage.
Amina is one character that will stick with me for some time. Her resolve to leave Nigeria and start her own life will lead her to disaster and tribulations. Her journey is an emotional one.
I love books that explore cultures I am unfamiliar with and the spirituality of these women plays such a large part of their decision making. Chapters begin with prophecies and the author really encompasses you in this culture. Great for readers that love generational tales like Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club or Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi.
Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways and Tin House for the opportunity to read and review prior to the Feb 2025 release.
Not my normal read, it has been some time since I sat with literary fiction. This book pulled me in so quickly and the story of a Nigerian mother and daughter took over my entire day, I could not put it down.
The story follows two POVs, mother Esther and daughter Amina over decades. Both Yoruba, the religious beliefs and folklore play a huge role in their decisions and the story throughout.
Esther, a strong pillar of a woman is determined to hold her own destiny. She starts her own restaurant business and wants to be as self reliant as possible, yet she knows the richest destiny for daughter Amina- is marriage.
Amina is one character that will stick with me for some time. Her resolve to leave Nigeria and start her own life will lead her to disaster and tribulations. Her journey is an emotional one.
I love books that explore cultures I am unfamiliar with and the spirituality of these women plays such a large part of their decision making. Chapters begin with prophecies and the author really encompasses you in this culture. Great for readers that love generational tales like Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club or Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi.
Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways and Tin House for the opportunity to read and review prior to the Feb 2025 release.
March 3, 2025
Deeply moving story filled with characters who you won’t soon forget
Set in Ibadan, Nigeria and New Orleans, this is a story of a young woman who wants to go to America and what that means when she actually gets there. The story opens in Ibadan where a mother is forced to get with a man who assaulted her, they end up having a daughter Amina. Amina is never satisfied, doesn’t dream of much, but her ultimate goal is to make it to the US. She enters the Visa Lottery and won, her ultimate dream is made a reality, but how does this impact her and her family?
I loved how well written this book was. I think the best part was reading about religion and how that impacts each person. It was interesting to see the link between Nigeria and New Orleans, how immigration tears a family apart and what happens when the one thing you need, turns out to be devastating.
Overall, an interesting read.
Set in Ibadan, Nigeria and New Orleans, this is a story of a young woman who wants to go to America and what that means when she actually gets there. The story opens in Ibadan where a mother is forced to get with a man who assaulted her, they end up having a daughter Amina. Amina is never satisfied, doesn’t dream of much, but her ultimate goal is to make it to the US. She enters the Visa Lottery and won, her ultimate dream is made a reality, but how does this impact her and her family?
I loved how well written this book was. I think the best part was reading about religion and how that impacts each person. It was interesting to see the link between Nigeria and New Orleans, how immigration tears a family apart and what happens when the one thing you need, turns out to be devastating.
Overall, an interesting read.
February 10, 2025
The Edge of Water spans three generations and three settings — Nigeria, New Orleans, and the Bay Area. It is a broad family drama that requires patience from the reader, as a work of literary fiction. While I appreciated the underlying message and character development, I don't think I was the target reader for this one as I had a harder time getting into it than I had hoped. A solid debut from a literary voice that is likely to ripen beautifully. Nicole Cash did a wonderful job with the narration, easily sweeping the reader between settings and perspectives.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media, Netgalley, and Olufunke Grace Bankole for an advance copy for honest review.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media, Netgalley, and Olufunke Grace Bankole for an advance copy for honest review.
December 16, 2024
Well, I finished this one over a night and the following morning. Lately, I have been on a multigenerational family kick. The main characters in this book are a mother who is level headed, but seems to feel unwanted in a way. The daughter seems unsure of herself, as does everyone else, and she craves real love. The granddaughter is more independent, and at the end when she reunites with her grandmother… it is a beautiful moment.
I highly recommend this book, and I feel like it would be a wonderful book club selection.
Thank you Tin House & Net Galley for an advanced copy!
I highly recommend this book, and I feel like it would be a wonderful book club selection.
Thank you Tin House & Net Galley for an advanced copy!
February 12, 2025
3.5 stars 𐙚
honestly this book was really good.
i found the dual timeline / location concept was done really well in this book. i loved the complex characters and the invisible string between ester and joseph after all this time!
honestly this book was really good.
i found the dual timeline / location concept was done really well in this book. i loved the complex characters and the invisible string between ester and joseph after all this time!
February 18, 2025
TEARS. Beautiful story, beautifully told. RTC
April 13, 2025
There’s a lot to admire in this book - the themes of motherhood, migration, and cultural identity are powerful, and the writing has a quiet, lyrical beauty to it. I especially appreciated the story's emotional core and the profoundly human, often messy connection between Esther and Amina. Their relationship felt real - complicated, loving, and strained - and it carried the novel in a meaningful way.
That said, the pacing dragged for me in places, and I wished for more momentum or deeper exploration in some scenes. It didn’t fully pull me in the way I’d hoped, but I’m still glad I read it. The way Bankole weaves together the ache of leaving home with the pull of where you come from is genuinely moving.
If you enjoy character-driven stories about family, identity, and starting over - especially ones that unfold slowly and thoughtfully - The Edge of Water is worth a look.
That said, the pacing dragged for me in places, and I wished for more momentum or deeper exploration in some scenes. It didn’t fully pull me in the way I’d hoped, but I’m still glad I read it. The way Bankole weaves together the ache of leaving home with the pull of where you come from is genuinely moving.
If you enjoy character-driven stories about family, identity, and starting over - especially ones that unfold slowly and thoughtfully - The Edge of Water is worth a look.
March 4, 2025
4.5 rounded up. This book = emotional damage. The writing is so beautiful so it kept me reading but boy do I need a hug after reading this. It’s sad but such a good read.
January 31, 2025
A stunning debut
November 5, 2024
Book Review The Edge of Water by Olufunke Grace Bankole
Publication Date: Feb 3/25
Thanks NetGalley and Tin House publishing for the opportunity to preview this book. The opinions are my own.
This is a beautifully written book following the lives of a mother and daughter in Nigeria, Esther and Amina. They are Yoruba which enriches the story with Yoruba religion, culture and folklore and how this impacts the women’s lives, their choices and dreams.
Esther is a pillar of strength, experiencing scores of adversity and trauma, and starting her own restaurant business so she is not reliant on anyone for survival. She wants the best for her daughter, culturally, that means marriage. Amina is dissatisfied with her life and dreams of going to America. She succeeds in the Visa lottery and moves to New Orleans. Her mother has been told that her destiny is tied to the Nigerian land, but she supports her dreams.
Amina continues to feel unfulfilled but begins to believe that she can control her own destiny. The hurricane hits New Orleans and Amina and her daughter are forced to seek shelter at the Dome, her dreams come to an end as another faceless black woman.
This story is about dreams, ambitions and regrets. It is vividly told from the POV of both MC’s. Esther and Amina’s relationship is complicated, although there is a bounty of love, pride got in the way of seeking the comfort they could have had from each other. Their relationship is dynamic, loving and complicated. The story explores the conflict that exists between ones dreams and the expectations that are placed on you from family and community. Amina’s daughter reuniting with Esther is heartwarming. The concept of home and its meaning is beautifully explored as your birth land, your family and within yourself.
This is a captivating story of family, community connection, and love. The spiritual aspects of the Yoruba religion and culture as well as the folklore add a distinctive depth and a unique blend of prophecy, destiny and free will. The prophecies of the sea shells at the beginning of each chapter were perfect and set the stage for each chapter. If you love complicated family tales and exploring other cultures this is the book for you.
Publication Date: Feb 3/25
Thanks NetGalley and Tin House publishing for the opportunity to preview this book. The opinions are my own.
This is a beautifully written book following the lives of a mother and daughter in Nigeria, Esther and Amina. They are Yoruba which enriches the story with Yoruba religion, culture and folklore and how this impacts the women’s lives, their choices and dreams.
Esther is a pillar of strength, experiencing scores of adversity and trauma, and starting her own restaurant business so she is not reliant on anyone for survival. She wants the best for her daughter, culturally, that means marriage. Amina is dissatisfied with her life and dreams of going to America. She succeeds in the Visa lottery and moves to New Orleans. Her mother has been told that her destiny is tied to the Nigerian land, but she supports her dreams.
Amina continues to feel unfulfilled but begins to believe that she can control her own destiny. The hurricane hits New Orleans and Amina and her daughter are forced to seek shelter at the Dome, her dreams come to an end as another faceless black woman.
This story is about dreams, ambitions and regrets. It is vividly told from the POV of both MC’s. Esther and Amina’s relationship is complicated, although there is a bounty of love, pride got in the way of seeking the comfort they could have had from each other. Their relationship is dynamic, loving and complicated. The story explores the conflict that exists between ones dreams and the expectations that are placed on you from family and community. Amina’s daughter reuniting with Esther is heartwarming. The concept of home and its meaning is beautifully explored as your birth land, your family and within yourself.
This is a captivating story of family, community connection, and love. The spiritual aspects of the Yoruba religion and culture as well as the folklore add a distinctive depth and a unique blend of prophecy, destiny and free will. The prophecies of the sea shells at the beginning of each chapter were perfect and set the stage for each chapter. If you love complicated family tales and exploring other cultures this is the book for you.
July 9, 2025
The Edge of Water is a multi-generational story that switches settings between Nigeria and New Orleans. It centers around two characters - Amina, Esther's daughter
I enjoyed the insight into Nigerian culture and customs, which are mostly unfamiliar to me. The familial dynamics presented were relatable in their complexity. The struggle of parents who want better for their children yet feel left behind, maybe, when they end up following their dreams, was also relatable.
What I didn't enjoy was that the story sometimes seemed disjointed, and I wanted more in-depth information about some of the characters. I also felt like some of the storylines could have been fleshed out more, leaving me wanting more. But I would definitely read more from Olufunke Grace Bankole again.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tin House Books for the ARC.
I enjoyed the insight into Nigerian culture and customs, which are mostly unfamiliar to me. The familial dynamics presented were relatable in their complexity. The struggle of parents who want better for their children yet feel left behind, maybe, when they end up following their dreams, was also relatable.
What I didn't enjoy was that the story sometimes seemed disjointed, and I wanted more in-depth information about some of the characters. I also felt like some of the storylines could have been fleshed out more, leaving me wanting more. But I would definitely read more from Olufunke Grace Bankole again.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tin House Books for the ARC.
March 22, 2025
Within the first 5 pages there’s a rape. Within the next 7 there’s wife beating and a stillborn baby.
Racking up traumas in the first 5 minutes doesn’t make your book important. We knew nothing about the characters, their motivations, or the impact these things had on them.
This book tries too hard to be edgy and doesn’t say much of anything. I stopped reading after about 50 pages.
Racking up traumas in the first 5 minutes doesn’t make your book important. We knew nothing about the characters, their motivations, or the impact these things had on them.
This book tries too hard to be edgy and doesn’t say much of anything. I stopped reading after about 50 pages.
January 29, 2025
4 stars
This is a glowing debut, and I am already excited to devour whatever Bankole has to offer next.
The novel covers three generations, and while this features a realistic perspective and some level of tragedy and heartbreak is required, that isn't all there is here. Frequently, these expansive family dramas develop into a list of sadnesses and missed opportunities, and there is a strong thread of hope and persistence here that carries the entire narrative, even in the dark times. I noticed and appreciated this very much.
I really enjoyed the character development, sense of place, and the style overall, and the narrator of the audiobook adds so much to the experience.
Fans of literary fiction, familial dissections, and thematic long term impacts will also find a great deal to enjoy here. Again, looking forward to reading more from this author.
*Special thanks to NetGalley, Tin House Books, and Dreamscape Media for this alc and arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
This is a glowing debut, and I am already excited to devour whatever Bankole has to offer next.
The novel covers three generations, and while this features a realistic perspective and some level of tragedy and heartbreak is required, that isn't all there is here. Frequently, these expansive family dramas develop into a list of sadnesses and missed opportunities, and there is a strong thread of hope and persistence here that carries the entire narrative, even in the dark times. I noticed and appreciated this very much.
I really enjoyed the character development, sense of place, and the style overall, and the narrator of the audiobook adds so much to the experience.
Fans of literary fiction, familial dissections, and thematic long term impacts will also find a great deal to enjoy here. Again, looking forward to reading more from this author.
*Special thanks to NetGalley, Tin House Books, and Dreamscape Media for this alc and arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
November 22, 2025
This was 100% a cover grab at the library last month, and honestly? I’m so glad it snagged my eyeballs. What I thought would be a quiet read ended up being absolutely devastating and incredibly beautiful.
You follow three generations of Nigerian and Nigerian American women as the story explores lineage, belief, motherhood, and identity, and just… ugh. It hit hard. Gorgeous, heartbreaking, all of it.
It’s one of those books that sits heavy on your chest but still glows a little, full of the messy love that moves through women in a family. I’m really glad I picked this one up on a whim.
You follow three generations of Nigerian and Nigerian American women as the story explores lineage, belief, motherhood, and identity, and just… ugh. It hit hard. Gorgeous, heartbreaking, all of it.
It’s one of those books that sits heavy on your chest but still glows a little, full of the messy love that moves through women in a family. I’m really glad I picked this one up on a whim.
December 26, 2024
I enjoyed this book a lot. We follow a mother, Esther, and daughter, Amina, in Nigeria as they deal with their patriarch's infidelity, abuse, cruelty, and indifference, and then as the daughter moves to New Orleans and has to face Hurricane Katrina. The cornerstone of this book is definitely Esther and Amina's relationship, and I felt deeply for both mother and daughter throughout this book. Bankole beautifully depicts a parent's desire for their child to have a better life than them, and also how painful it can be when your child actually leaves and goes after their dreams. The narrative moves seamlessly between Esther, Amina, and their Yoruba goddess; between Nigeria and New Orleans; and throughout time. I was moved by the book's exploration of what it means to belong to a place and to people, and this book was fast and impactful.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tin House for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to NetGalley and Tin House for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review!
February 21, 2025
The Edge of Water by Olufunke Grace Bankole
Nicole Cash does a wonderful job of capturing the essence of this debut book with her reading of this epic tale following the lives of three generations of daring women.
The Edge of Water is told in alternating chapters by Esther, a strong-willed Yoruban matriarch and her daughter, Amina. In letters to her daughter, Esther narrates her life growing up in Ibadan, Nigeria. Some chapters are voiced by an Iyanifa, a title for a priestess in the Yoruba tradition. Amina arrives in New Orleans after dreaming of a better life and opportunities hoped for in America. After becoming a single parent to her daughter, Laila, and finally starting to find her way, a hurricane is threatening to destroy the city. Years later Laila is wanting to know more about her mother and her distant relatives of Nigeria.
This book is filled with folklore, Yoruba Christianity, traditional religion, mother/daughter relationships, betrayals, love, and heartbreak. I thought this was a very good debut and I liked the development of the characters and her writing style. I look forward to future books by Olufunke Grace Bankole.
Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the audiobook
Nicole Cash does a wonderful job of capturing the essence of this debut book with her reading of this epic tale following the lives of three generations of daring women.
The Edge of Water is told in alternating chapters by Esther, a strong-willed Yoruban matriarch and her daughter, Amina. In letters to her daughter, Esther narrates her life growing up in Ibadan, Nigeria. Some chapters are voiced by an Iyanifa, a title for a priestess in the Yoruba tradition. Amina arrives in New Orleans after dreaming of a better life and opportunities hoped for in America. After becoming a single parent to her daughter, Laila, and finally starting to find her way, a hurricane is threatening to destroy the city. Years later Laila is wanting to know more about her mother and her distant relatives of Nigeria.
This book is filled with folklore, Yoruba Christianity, traditional religion, mother/daughter relationships, betrayals, love, and heartbreak. I thought this was a very good debut and I liked the development of the characters and her writing style. I look forward to future books by Olufunke Grace Bankole.
Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the audiobook
February 5, 2025
This book made me feel! It was deep, intensely emotional, thought provoking and heartbreaking. What will be will be even if it wasn’t destined to be. The mother and daughter dynamic of Esther and Amina was difficult to read at times but in that difficulty was the heart of their story. Esther was a mother who wanted more for her daughter Amina. Amina the daughter who dared to dream of better and was determined to make a way for herself. A deeply, moving cautionary tale of not waiting until It’s too late. I will think about these characters because they left a lasting impression on me. Olufunke Grace Bankole wrote a stunning debut novel, and Nicole Cash did a wonderful job bringing the cast of characters to life through her narration. Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity at an advance listen.
December 9, 2024
A moving and beautiful book, telling the multigenerational story of a Nigerian family, with additional life beyond death interstitial sections, drawing on Yoruba tradition. Form and meaning work in unity in this book to wonderful effect.
December 8, 2024
This was a good book, it sucked me in right from the beginning. I liked all the different perspective’s.
February 20, 2025
I received this book as an ARC from Goodreads giveaway. It is beautiful. It’s a well written exploration of three generations of women and how they manage and approach their lives between Nigeria and America. I felt emotionally invested in the events. Both what happened to the characters and the events surrounding them. I really liked how the Yoruba traditions served as the structure for the chapters. I didn’t give it five stars because I got confused throughout trying to figure out who was talking from where and where a paragraph fit on the timeline. That could be a me problem. I definitely recommend this book! It is worth sharing.
July 19, 2024
Olufunke Grace Bakole’s "The Edge of Water" is a beautifully written debut novel that spans generations of a Nigerian family navigating life between Nigeria and New Orleans. The author explores the deep bonds of love and sacrifice, particularly between mothers and daughters. The numerous perspectives give an engaging narrative about the resilience of women, family, and the power of dreams.
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January 5, 2025The Edge of Water is a novel that, much like the flow of the tide, moves back and forth between deeper waters and a realized shore. Each character is in a state of between, or almost, and it is only with time that they are given answers to their questions—will I find love, will I achieve my dreams, will I make my family proud, will I survive this? At the center of all this is the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, which forever alters the course of these characters' lives, and the visions of an Ifa priestess who casts shells and foresees what the characters cannot.
Although I appreciated the ideas behind the novel, I didn't connect with the execution. I often felt like too much was abstracted, though I can see why the author might've left the scenes during the hurricane abstracted, as to not sensationalize. I also felt that there wasn't enough interiority for me to latch onto. Because of this, I felt like the characters' voices were distant and not differentiated, so when everything connects at the end it didn't feel earned. I think, overall, I would've appreciated less points of view and more scenes, both for the opportunity to get to know characters better beyond what we’re explicitly told and for the chance to take a beat and visualize the setting. Everything felt tenuous, like it was slipping through my fingers before I had the chance to process; perhaps this was intentional, in a story centered around water, shells, and a storm, but I wasn’t certain.
Although this wasn't a novel for me, I still appreciated its commentary on finding your way back home and remaining open to the possibility of love after tragedy.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Although I appreciated the ideas behind the novel, I didn't connect with the execution. I often felt like too much was abstracted, though I can see why the author might've left the scenes during the hurricane abstracted, as to not sensationalize. I also felt that there wasn't enough interiority for me to latch onto. Because of this, I felt like the characters' voices were distant and not differentiated, so when everything connects at the end it didn't feel earned. I think, overall, I would've appreciated less points of view and more scenes, both for the opportunity to get to know characters better beyond what we’re explicitly told and for the chance to take a beat and visualize the setting. Everything felt tenuous, like it was slipping through my fingers before I had the chance to process; perhaps this was intentional, in a story centered around water, shells, and a storm, but I wasn’t certain.
Although this wasn't a novel for me, I still appreciated its commentary on finding your way back home and remaining open to the possibility of love after tragedy.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 21, 2025
“Esther to Amina: every choice you make, even in your girlhood, will have a hand in the woman you become.” (page 26)
I rarely say this for books, and I actually don’t think I’ve ever said that about a book I’ve read and reviewed before: but I truly think this book should be taught in schools. High school or University English classes, African American Studies, Social Justice and Diversity Courses, Culture courses, Women & Gender Studies courses.
This book is a debut novel, and a story about the lives of multiple characters, and multiple generations. This book holds a variety of chapter lengths, tropes, twists, and types of stories. This book touches on things like fatherlessness, SA, domestic violence, racism, immigration, struggles of single mothers, arranged courtships/marriages, tragedy, death, affairs, and the like. This book accurately described the journey of life from one generation to the next, from the way Amina accidentally continued the cycle of choosing a horrible man to father her daughter and admitted she’s no better than her mother, Fatima divorcing her husband and moving towns with Laila whilst filling the void with bad habits and new/frequent men, Joseph chasing Esther in Nigeria in his sixties after a lifetime of involuntary celibacy and never feeling like he truly belonged, and an extremely impressive display of culture peppered in most chapters, especially with context where it was needed.
It was adoring, but it got 4 stars because it dragged on in the end, when Laila was an adult. I know the point of it was to fill in the gaps at the end of the story in regards to other parts of the plot, but at that point, I preferred it would’ve ended at Amina’s death. The rest was dragged on as it seemed to me.
I did enjoy this. After Amina’s death, I would stop reading to hit 5 stars if I were you, but you can continue if you want the full experience
I rarely say this for books, and I actually don’t think I’ve ever said that about a book I’ve read and reviewed before: but I truly think this book should be taught in schools. High school or University English classes, African American Studies, Social Justice and Diversity Courses, Culture courses, Women & Gender Studies courses.
This book is a debut novel, and a story about the lives of multiple characters, and multiple generations. This book holds a variety of chapter lengths, tropes, twists, and types of stories. This book touches on things like fatherlessness, SA, domestic violence, racism, immigration, struggles of single mothers, arranged courtships/marriages, tragedy, death, affairs, and the like. This book accurately described the journey of life from one generation to the next, from the way Amina accidentally continued the cycle of choosing a horrible man to father her daughter and admitted she’s no better than her mother, Fatima divorcing her husband and moving towns with Laila whilst filling the void with bad habits and new/frequent men, Joseph chasing Esther in Nigeria in his sixties after a lifetime of involuntary celibacy and never feeling like he truly belonged, and an extremely impressive display of culture peppered in most chapters, especially with context where it was needed.
It was adoring, but it got 4 stars because it dragged on in the end, when Laila was an adult. I know the point of it was to fill in the gaps at the end of the story in regards to other parts of the plot, but at that point, I preferred it would’ve ended at Amina’s death. The rest was dragged on as it seemed to me.
I did enjoy this. After Amina’s death, I would stop reading to hit 5 stars if I were you, but you can continue if you want the full experience
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2025
my mind is still reeling so full review soon come...ultimately this was such an deeply moving, epistolary debut novel that cuts through and oscillates around the relationships between nigerian daughters and their mothers. the novel focuses on the life of esther, an industrious young woman who is strongarmed by her mother and her husbands wealthy parents into marriage. after she leaves her marriage with her daughter the customary social gossip and ostracizing begins.
this choice, defiant and ultimately liberating sets off a chain of events which take the characters on both a corporeal and spiritual journey. one which crosses borders, more or less orbits Hurricane Katrina and how foreign born children make the return home to restore family chains and claim their histories for themselves.
i gasped, cried, wailed and beat my breast reading this. much has been achieved here and i hope to see a debut novel award or award of some kind for Olufunke Grace Bankole cos this has put to word and paper something that is capacious yet amorphous and deeply affecting in immigrant communities.
this choice, defiant and ultimately liberating sets off a chain of events which take the characters on both a corporeal and spiritual journey. one which crosses borders, more or less orbits Hurricane Katrina and how foreign born children make the return home to restore family chains and claim their histories for themselves.
i gasped, cried, wailed and beat my breast reading this. much has been achieved here and i hope to see a debut novel award or award of some kind for Olufunke Grace Bankole cos this has put to word and paper something that is capacious yet amorphous and deeply affecting in immigrant communities.
September 11, 2025
I loved the rhythm of this book. The audiobook narrator spoke in a lilting accent, and it was like waves on water. I really recommend listening if you can.
I was glad to have the eBook copy as well, because there were Nigerian expressions that I didn’t know. Parts of the story are told by Iyanifa, a priestess who predicts the fortunes of the characters using cowry shells. There are many point of view characters, but mainly the narrative moves back and forth in time and place between a mother and daughter in Nigeria and New Orleans.
The story starts in Ibadan, with Esther coming of age, being forced by violence into a marriage she doesn’t want.
Her daughter, Amina, grows up vowing to go “anywhere away from here”. She ends up in America, where she has to face her own tragic destiny.
This is a beautifully written, heartbreaking tale of family and tradition. It’s an amazing debut novel, and I am anxious to read more by this author.
I was glad to have the eBook copy as well, because there were Nigerian expressions that I didn’t know. Parts of the story are told by Iyanifa, a priestess who predicts the fortunes of the characters using cowry shells. There are many point of view characters, but mainly the narrative moves back and forth in time and place between a mother and daughter in Nigeria and New Orleans.
The story starts in Ibadan, with Esther coming of age, being forced by violence into a marriage she doesn’t want.
Her daughter, Amina, grows up vowing to go “anywhere away from here”. She ends up in America, where she has to face her own tragic destiny.
This is a beautifully written, heartbreaking tale of family and tradition. It’s an amazing debut novel, and I am anxious to read more by this author.
September 3, 2025
2 stars - this was just OK.
The plot was mostly driven by circumstances outside of the characters’ hands. Esther was SA’d leading to a marriage and child, Amina’s life was derailed from a hurricane, Laila was gifted a trip, Esther’s true love came back without her even asking. Joseph was literally the only character with character (and he wasn’t even introduced as a narrator till later on). Esther not reaching out to Laila after Amina’s accident was not believable.
The only redeeming quality - the audiobook’s voice actor had a soothing Nigerian accent. Other than that, I’d pass on this one.
The plot was mostly driven by circumstances outside of the characters’ hands. Esther was SA’d leading to a marriage and child, Amina’s life was derailed from a hurricane, Laila was gifted a trip, Esther’s true love came back without her even asking. Joseph was literally the only character with character (and he wasn’t even introduced as a narrator till later on). Esther not reaching out to Laila after Amina’s accident was not believable.
The only redeeming quality - the audiobook’s voice actor had a soothing Nigerian accent. Other than that, I’d pass on this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 10, 2025
In Edge of Water, Olufunke Grace Bankole intertwines faith, destiny, and the pursuit of freedom across generations. The narrative follows Amina, who, despite her mother’s forewarnings through Mérìndínlógún—the Yoruba practice of casting sixteen cowrie shells to reveal destiny—ventures from Nigeria to America seeking a better life. However, she soon realizes that “America was not the promised land after all.”This novel delves into the complexities of heritage and self-discovery, illustrating that understanding one’s roots is essential to forging a new path.
January 12, 2025
This was a beautifully written debut that explores identity, belonging, and the generational tension between expectation and desire. Through multiple perspectives and a deeply moving mother-daughter relationship, the story weaves Yoruba traditions with life between Nigeria and New Orleans. I found this multigenerational tale to be a moving exploration of what it means to call a place home.
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