The Edge of Water by Olufunke Grace Bankole is a sweeping, multi-generational novel that pulses with history, heartbreak, and the quiet resilience of women bound by love, loss, and an ocean between them. Bankole’s prose is lyrical yet grounded, weaving a story that spans continents and generations while never losing sight of its emotional core: the unspoken bond between a mother and daughter who are worlds apart yet forever entwined.

The novel opens in Ibadan, Nigeria, where a mother—grounded in both Yoruba tradition and Christian faith—receives a chilling divination about her daughter, Amina. The weight of the forewarning is palpable, but Amina’s determination to carve her own path leads her to New Orleans, a city brimming with culture, possibility, and danger. Bankole vividly captures the duality of Amina’s experience—the wonder of a fresh start in a vibrant city and the slow, creeping dread of a storm that mirrors her internal fears.

The hurricane’s arrival isn’t just a dramatic event—it’s a reckoning. The chaos and destruction force Amina to confront both her dreams and her vulnerability, as the life she’s tried to build is torn apart. Bankole’s depiction of the storm is as visceral as it is symbolic, and the fallout reshapes the narrative as we move forward in time to Amina’s daughter, who is left with questions that reach across both memory and geography.

Amina’s daughter’s quest for answers is equally compelling. The narrative shifts between past and present, Nigeria and America, as she pieces together the life of the mother she barely knew and unravels the complex legacy of her family. Bankole masterfully balances these timelines, creating a poignant exploration of identity, displacement, and the deep yearning to belong. The daughter’s journey back to Nigeria is particularly moving, as it becomes not just a search for history but a reclamation of her place within it.

One of the novel’s strengths is its rich cultural tapestry. Bankole doesn’t just reference Yoruba traditions—she immerses the reader in their beauty, contradictions, and power. The tension between faiths, the role of divination, and the weight of ancestral wisdom are all explored with care and nuance. The way these cultural threads intersect with Amina’s romance, ambitions, and tragedies makes her story feel deeply personal yet universal.

The novel also shines in its portrayal of love—not just romantic love, but the complicated, sometimes unspoken love between mothers and daughters. The gaps in communication between Amina and her mother, and later between Amina and her daughter, are achingly real. Bankole doesn’t shy away from showing how love can be both fierce and flawed, how silence can protect but also wound.

If there’s a critique, it’s that some sections—particularly during the hurricane’s aftermath—feel slightly rushed compared to the rich, contemplative pace of the rest of the novel. Certain side characters, especially in New Orleans, could have been given more depth, as their connections to Amina’s journey feel more symbolic than fully realized. However, these minor shortcomings don’t diminish the emotional impact of the story as a whole.

At 4 stars, The Edge of Water is a luminous and unforgettable debut that captures the complexities of diaspora, motherhood, and self-discovery with grace and honesty. Olufunke Grace Bankole’s storytelling feels like a song passed down through generations—layered, resonant, and deeply human. It’s a novel for anyone who has ever felt the pull of home, even when home is a place you’ve never known, and for those who understand that love often means letting go and trusting that the tides will carry you where you’re meant to be.

The Edge of Water is a story that spans two lifetimes and an eternity. Esther, a woman who bore a child out of harm done to her, and Amira, the daughter who holds a prophecy, navigate what it means to be mother and daughter in a world where men are to be believed and women are to be thrown away. The Edge of Water asks what does it mean to break away from your roots and what is the cost of coming back?

Overall this book had all the ingredients of a 5 star read for me, so I was disappointed when about 20% in I knew it was going to be a three star read. The book is not very long, and I think that is part of the problem. I wanted more depth and clarity from the characters, the story, the impacts of nature and it just didn't feel like we were going to get that. I truly believe this book will resonate with others, it just didn't land for me. I will try it again though, because sometimes that second read is all it takes to completely change your mind.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

<i>The Edge of Water</i> 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.

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 NetGalley, Tin House Books and Olufunke Grace Bankole for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of The Edge of Water.
This is a heart wrenching story of a multi-generational family set between Nigeria and New Orleans. The matriarch, Ester receives a divination that foretells danger for her daughter in America. The story is filled with family drama, religion, folklore and lots of heartbreak. There are twists and turns in decisions made. The plot line is choppy with only bits and pieces of the story told. There are many points of view, which to me, make the story a bit confusing as some characters are more reliable than others.
I enjoyed the descriptive writing, well rounded characters yet I wish the plot was more linear with a bit more background knowledge about life and customs in Nigeria. The second half was easier to follow and the ending was great with helping to put all the loose pieces together. I thoroughly enjoyed this new cultural experience.

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.

I think this was a very interesting book. Bankole's writing is beautiful and I loved reading it. I enjoyed the book and the development of the characters and their story have been so interesting to read

Although U have never heard of this author- Olufunke Grace Bankole, I was glad that requested this debut novel. This tells the story of a family from Nigeria as they navigate life between their homeland and New Orleans. The family face love and sacrifice. The family works hard to overcome, and maintain relationships.

#Netgalley #ARC #Nigeria #Family #Sacrifice

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.

The Edge of Water by Olufunke Grace Bankole is a beautifully written meandering through three generations of mothers and daughters.

The story unfolds through a series of letters which is effective since it allows the reader to see some of the same situations from different perspectives. I usually find letter formats a bit distracting, but here, the author skips the usual "Dear..." and "Regards," keeping me engaged. The storytelling felt more immediate and personal that way. The beginning of each one includes a reading by a fortune teller, such as, “shells in the shape of a wave.” It’s a really interesting way to bring in culture and set the stage.

The characters of the women are complex and their relationships with each other are fraught with the influences of tradition, culture, independence and dreams. They each have to deal with what is expected of them versus what they want; Ester’s (the grandmother) story in Nigeria is particularly harrowing, although Amina (the daughter) certainly has a difficult time as she navigates a new country before and during Hurricane Katrina as a single mother. Laila (the granddaughter) both suffers and benefits from the journeys of her foremothers. They are each stronger than they believe themselves to be, and ultimately brave enough to carve their own path.

My one small issue is a part of the story that talks about these several souls in the story that come together over and over again across time. While this adds to the folklore that is woven throughout the story, it didn’t resonate for me since it didn’t seem to have any real influence over the characters’ interactions or lead to any learned truths.

Overall, this is a moving story and fantastic debut by the author. I’m looking forward to reading more from her in the future.

Thank you to Tin House Books and NetGalley for the digital ARC.

This was a very well written book! It was so touching and moving, the familial issues and struggles this family deals with is crazy. It is so heartbreaking, and the writing was so well done! I loved the cultural differences and similarities!

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complementary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!