"There comes a point when one must relinquish the dream for the chance to make the best of reality. Like all the mothers in my lineage, I have sacrificed myself for the sake of love."

The Edge of Water is one of those books that completely pulls you in, immersing you in its world until you become utterly enraptured. Olufunke Grace Bankole has so intentionally and tenderly crafted every single character that I found myself deeply invested, not just in the overarching narrative but in each individual life.

Told in the shape of shells, the novel is framed by the perspective of Iyanifa, a priestess and guide, as she introduces us to the interwoven stories of three generations of Nigerian women. From a traumatised and unrelenting Esther to her daughter, Amina, who is determined to carve out a life as different from her mother’s as possible, and finally to Laila, who pieces together her own story while grappling with the weight of intergenerational trauma and tragedy. Their experiences and those of the people around them, though distinct, come together so perfectly.

One of the most striking elements of the novel is its masterful use of water imagery. It is ever-present and immersive, yet never overdone. There were moments when I had to pause, reread, and simply let certain sentences wash over me, pulling me deeper into the story. I need to get my hands on a physical copy to annotate and revisit!
This story does explore some deeply painful and challenging themes, I strongly recommend checking content warnings before diving in. Bankole weaves intergenerational trauma into the narrative with such incredible intention and authenticity.

Though it took me a few chapters to fully grasp the novel’s structure - told through ‘shells in the shape of’ - I absolutely loved how purposeful this was within the wider context of the story. The way certain moments, experiences, and emotions echoed throughout the story was equally as heart-warming as it was heart-breaking. By the end, everything came full circle in the most subtle yet deeply satisfying way.

I am so grateful to Olufunke Grace Bankole for sharing this story with us. It was an honour to spend time in this world, and I cannot wait for others to experience, learn from, and find pieces of themselves within these pages.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tin House for the e-arc. All opinions are my own.

TWs/CWs:
Graphic: Death and Miscarriage. Moderate: Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Excrement, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting. Minor: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, and Blood

The Edge of Water shifts the reader from New Orleans and Nigeria with perspectives from a mother and daughter who dream of a better life. When Amina was young, her mother had a vision that she would die in America one day, and is determined to protect her at all costs, but Amina dreams of a life in America and ends up moving to New Orleans. The dual POV's represent a mother's hope for her daughter, determination to protect her but the understanding that sometimes we have to set those we love free to forge their own path, contrasted with the experience of a daughter who is striving for more. Amidst the background of Hurricane Katrina, this is a beautiful story of perseverance, hope and love for family.

This was such a fantastic book! Some literary fiction can be quite slow, but this was instantly engaging, and a fast paced experience. Amina and her mother are two fully fleshed out characters that are memorable, and admirable. The author beautifully has prophetic quotes at the start of each chapter, which immerse the reader in the culture of Amina's mother in Nigeria.

A great story for anyone who loved stories detailing generational experiences from different cultures, such as Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi.

The writing style conveys the emotions of our main characters very well. It clearly shows the cultural burden placed on women and their bodies and how they should behave for men and family honour over their own well-being.

I did not expect this book to affect me the way it did. I went in expecting the story to follow our MC going through the regular trials of a young woman in Nigeria, but got so much more. I love novels that use the epistolary style as it shows the vulnerabilities of our characters easier than regular exposition prose. It is through these letters we learn of Amina's mother's own experiences where a man will never be held accountable for his actions; neither culturally nor his family.

Amina is restless, carrying an indefinable feeling that makes her feel unmoored and not belonging in her homeland. So she migrates, hoping for better and being able to do more across the ocean. What she finds is not the America that is sold and she begins to wonder if she will ever be able to discover herself and what is meant for her.

If you want to read a book that is going to take you to an ending that will sadden you as well as offer healing, then read this one.

Unfortunately I was unable to download this book before the archive date, but I look forward to reading and reviewing other books by this author in the future.

Three generations of women linked by blood and by their beliefs. Amina was determined to leave Nigeria, despite warnings from her mother Esther. Unfortunately, the new life she wanted to built in the US is impacted (no spoilers) by Hurricane Katrina. It is her daughter who reconciles with Esther. This moves atmospherically between Nigeria, New Orleans. and California. You. like me might feel a bit lost at times but stick with it because it's a good emotional story. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. For fans of literary fiction.

This is one of those books that feels like it contains worlds beyond the page--the lives of the characters keep expanding, and it feels solid and convincing. It's the story of three generations of Yoruba women (grandmother, daughter, stepdaughter, granddaughter) in Nigeria and America as they navigate their lives, both what they hope they will look like and what they actually do. It's an emotionally rich, melancholy novel (though I found the ending cautiously hopeful). It's a realistic novel with an interesting texture--some of the sections are letters, often reflecting back in the past, and it also includes prophecies and folklore and the commentary/involvement of Yoruba gods, so the novel slips back and forth in time. I was fully caught up in its complex web.

Thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for my free earc in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are all my own.

I wanted to love this. It is written beautifully in a poetic way but unfortunately that is just not my jam and makes a plot hard to follow for me. I know this is a “me” problem and that this book will land well for people who love poetic prose.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC! This book will be released on February 4, 2025 from Tin House Books in the US.

Full Rating: 4.75 stars rounded up

Olufunke Grace Bankole’s The Edge of Water is a lush and haunting intergenerational saga that explores the tension between fate and self-determination, weaving the lives of three Nigerian women across continents and decades. Esther, her daughter Amina, and her granddaughter Laila navigate the weight of tradition, migration, and survival, their stories punctuated by the voice of Iyanifa, an Ifa priestess who serves as a guide. With lyrical prose and a deeply introspective narrative, Bankole crafts a tale that is at once intimate and expansive, honoring the resilience of women who forge their own paths despite the burdens of history.

The novel opens with Esther’s teenage years in Ibadan, where a traumatic event binds her to a life she did not choose. Forced into marriage with Sani after he assaults her, Esther loses her first child, endures years of abuse, and eventually escapes with her daughter Amina. Their journey is marked by struggle and perseverance, as Esther builds a life from the ground up, finding stability in her catering business while clinging to the hope of a different future for Amina. But even as Esther breaks free from one set of constraints, she cannot help but impose others—her pragmatism shaping the expectations she places on her daughter.

Amina, ever the dreamer, sees America as an escape, a place where she might carve out an identity beyond the rigid expectations of marriage and duty. Yet, even as she reaches for independence, disillusionment follows. Bankole captures the painful complexities of migration—the promise of reinvention shadowed by struggle. Amina’s reunion with Joseph, the man her mother once loved, and the birth of her daughter, Laila, offer glimpses of hope, but the devastation of Hurricane Katrina alters the course of their lives. The novel does not flinch in its portrayal of loss.

What sets The Edge of Water apart is its fluid, almost ethereal storytelling, where the past and present blur, and fate lingers as an omnipresent force. Bankole’s prose is rich with sensory detail, evoking the smell of Nigerian markets, the weight of humid New Orleans air, the ache of longing that stretches across oceans. The interludes from Iyanifa offer a spiritual and philosophical dimension, grounding the novel in Yoruba cosmology and the unbreakable ties between the living and the ancestors.

At its heart, this is a novel about the choices women make in the face of societal constraints, about the dreams that persist despite hardship, and the legacy of love and sacrifice that travels through generations. Bankole does not offer easy resolutions—Esther’s faith in destiny is both vindicated and complicated, Amina’s independence is both triumphant and tragic. But in the novel’s closing moments, as Laila returns to Nigeria to meet her grandmother, there is a sense of continuity, of a story still unfolding.

I was slightly disoriented at the start, but once I reached Part 2, I could not put it down. The Edge of Water is a stunning meditation on migration, motherhood, and fate; I was surprised by how much I loved this one and can’t recommend it enough to fans of diverse literary fiction!

📖 Recommended For: Fans of intergenerational family sagas, lyrical and introspective prose, and narratives exploring migration and identity; readers interested in Yoruba spirituality, mother-daughter relationships, and the complexities of diaspora; lovers of Akwaeke Emezi or Yaa Gyasi.

🔑 Key Themes: Fate vs. Self-Determination, Cultural Heritage and Diaspora, Motherhood and Inheritance, Faith and Spirituality, Survival and Resilience.

Content / Trigger Warnings: Domestic Abuse (minor), Physical Abuse (minor), Sexual Assault (minor), Child Death (minor), Infidelity (moderate), Sexual Content (minor), Blood (minor), Abandonment (minor), Death (moderate), Grief (moderate).

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.

"The Edge of Water" is a tightly crafted story of motherhood, loss, and destiny. Olufunke Grace Bankole weaves an emotional family tale set against the backdrop of Nigeria with strands of traditional Yoruba religion powering the story forward.

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As a reader who doesn't normally read family sagas I loved this book because Olufunke Grace Bankole brought a fresh perspective into reader's hands. The story closely follows a family in Nigeria spread out amongst three generations. It is a story of motherhood-- raw motherhood-- the sacrifices that are made. The book also weaves in the African religion Yoruba with some chapters told from Orunimal's POV and . There's this very tangible story of family but then there is this really fun side where readers are privy to the oracles conversations and I just thought it was so fun.

Thank you Olufunke Grace Bankole for writing this story, thank you Tin House for bringing this story to us, and thank you Netgalley!

The Edge of Water is multi-generational story that switches setting between Nigeria and New Orleans. It centers around two characters - Amina, daughter of Esther.

I enjoyed the insight into Nigerian culture and customs, of which I am mostly unfamiliar. The family dynamics presented were relatable in their complication. Same with the struggle of parents to want better for their children yet feeling - left behind maybe? - when they do end up following their dreams.

What I didn't enjoy was that the story seemed disjointed at times and I felt myself wanting 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 frrom Bankole again.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

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.