In a few words
A tender, sweeping novel about the nature of mercy and the astonishing ways that love can bloom among ruins – from the New York Times bestselling author of Behold the Dreamers
In a few words
A tender, sweeping novel about the nature of mercy and the astonishing ways that love can bloom among ruins – from the New York Times bestselling author of Behold the Dreamers
In a few words
A tender, sweeping novel about the nature of mercy and the astonishing ways that love can bloom among ruins – from the New York Times bestselling author of Behold the Dreamers
A poignant exploration of grief and love amidst diasporic displacement. The writing is simple yet exquisite . . . A beautifully written novel takes you on an emotionally wrought journey which is as consequential as the destination
Marcia Hutchinson, Author Of The Mercy Step
A book of heartwrenching what ifs that will keep you guessing and thinking about loss, forgiveness, family and, yes, love
Charmaine Wilkerson, Author Of Black Cake
A book of heartwrenching what ifs that will keep you guessing and thinking about loss, forgiveness, family and, yes, love
Charmaine Wilkerson, Author Of Black Cake
A poignant exploration of grief and love amidst diasporic displacement. The writing is simple yet exquisite . . . A beautifully written novel takes you on an emotionally wrought journey which is as consequential as the destination
Marcia Hutchinson, Author Of The Mercy Step
A book of heartwrenching what ifs that will keep you guessing and thinking about loss, forgiveness, family and, yes, love
Charmaine Wilkerson, Author Of Black Cake
A poignant exploration of grief and love amidst diasporic displacement. The writing is simple yet exquisite . . . A beautifully written novel takes you on an emotionally wrought journey which is as consequential as the destination
Marcia Hutchinson, Author Of The Mercy Step
More about
the book
FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR AND PEN/FAULKNER AWARD WINNER
A NEW YORK TIMES PICK FOR 2026
‘A book of heartwrenching what ifs that will keep you guessing and thinking about loss, forgiveness, family and, yes, love’ CHARMAINE WILKERSON
‘Exquisite’ MARCIA HUTCHINSON
‘Heart-stopping’ JACQUELINE WOODSON
‘Captivating’ ANDREW SOLOMON
‘A formidable storyteller’ JONATHAN FRANZEN
‘The envelope remained on the table, a bomb fashioned to go off in the ruins of his life…’
Wolo’s universe ended in an instant when his pregnant wife Yoma was killed in a tragic car accident. Now, three years later, he has received a letter from Victoria, the woman who was behind the wheel.
His mother insists he destroy it. Their family pastor says it is the work of the devil. But Victoria is asking to meet. Her heart is broken, too.
Mind-expanding, life-affirming and full of hope, Every Story is a Love Story is about the nature of mercy, morality and the inexplicable mysteries of the human heart.
More about
the book
FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR AND PEN/FAULKNER AWARD WINNER
A NEW YORK TIMES PICK FOR 2026
‘A book of heartwrenching what ifs that will keep you guessing and thinking about loss, forgiveness, family and, yes, love’ CHARMAINE WILKERSON
‘Exquisite’ MARCIA HUTCHINSON
‘Heart-stopping’ JACQUELINE WOODSON
‘Captivating’ ANDREW SOLOMON
‘A formidable storyteller’ JONATHAN FRANZEN
‘The envelope remained on the table, a bomb fashioned to go off in the ruins of his life…’
Wolo’s universe ended in an instant when his pregnant wife Yoma was killed in a tragic car accident. Now, three years later, he has received a letter from Victoria, the woman who was behind the wheel.
His mother insists he destroy it. Their family pastor says it is the work of the devil. But Victoria is asking to meet. Her heart is broken, too.
Mind-expanding, life-affirming and full of hope, Every Story is a Love Story is about the nature of mercy, morality and the inexplicable mysteries of the human heart.
More about
the book
FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR AND PEN/FAULKNER AWARD WINNER
A NEW YORK TIMES PICK FOR 2026
‘A book of heartwrenching what ifs that will keep you guessing and thinking about loss, forgiveness, family and, yes, love’ CHARMAINE WILKERSON
‘Exquisite’ MARCIA HUTCHINSON
‘Heart-stopping’ JACQUELINE WOODSON
‘Captivating’ ANDREW SOLOMON
‘A formidable storyteller’ JONATHAN FRANZEN
‘The envelope remained on the table, a bomb fashioned to go off in the ruins of his life…’
Wolo’s universe ended in an instant when his pregnant wife Yoma was killed in a tragic car accident. Now, three years later, he has received a letter from Victoria, the woman who was behind the wheel.
His mother insists he destroy it. Their family pastor says it is the work of the devil. But Victoria is asking to meet. Her heart is broken, too.
Mind-expanding, life-affirming and full of hope, Every Story is a Love Story is about the nature of mercy, morality and the inexplicable mysteries of the human heart.
This story of a man and his family dealing with love and loss is, page by page, sentence by sentence, intimate, nuanced and deeply beautiful. Few books handle grief’s persistence so honestly, nor love’s complexity so thoughtfully. Wonderful
Karen Joy Fowler
Mbue understands better than any writer I know how people can hurt, fear, find and help to heal each other across cultures, races and genders. This novel is so intimately smart and tender, emotionally-wrenching, charming, funny, romantic, jaw-dropping, elating. I feel so grateful to have read it
Francisco Goldman
A deeply moving, beautifully told novel about grief, regret, anger, forgiveness and the insistent resilience of the human heart. Imbolo Mbue’s generosity on the page is breathtaking
Patrick Ryan
Compelling characters navigate the moral and emotional complexities of forgiveness, stumbling into uncharted territory
Mbue understands better than any writer I know how people can hurt, fear, find and help to heal each other across cultures, races and genders. This novel is so intimately smart and tender, emotionally-wrenching, charming, funny, romantic, jaw-dropping, elating. I feel so grateful to have read it
Francisco Goldman
A deeply moving, beautifully told novel about grief, regret, anger, forgiveness and the insistent resilience of the human heart. Imbolo Mbue’s generosity on the page is breathtaking
Patrick Ryan
These characters enter our lives with such a heart stopping precision, a reader has to remember to breathe. I was lifted up and set back down again so many times during the course of this stunning novel, that even now I find myself wondering if everyone in this world is okay. As a writer and a reader, I am better for this beautiful narrative
Jacqueline Woodson
Mbue questions who forgives whom and under what circumstances and why, veering close to easy answers only to set them on fire. The outward plot is captivating, but most profound as it reveals the tension between loss and love, self-interest and generosity, impulse and wisdom. This remarkably insightful book will make you grow in beautiful ways
Andrew Solomon
Mbue understands better than any writer I know how people can hurt, fear, find and help to heal each other across cultures, races and genders. This novel is so intimately smart and tender, emotionally-wrenching, charming, funny, romantic, jaw-dropping, elating. I feel so grateful to have read it
Francisco Goldman
A deeply moving, beautifully told novel about grief, regret, anger, forgiveness and the insistent resilience of the human heart. Imbolo Mbue’s generosity on the page is breathtaking
Patrick Ryan
These characters enter our lives with such a heart stopping precision, a reader has to remember to breathe. I was lifted up and set back down again so many times during the course of this stunning novel, that even now I find myself wondering if everyone in this world is okay. As a writer and a reader, I am better for this beautiful narrative
Jacqueline Woodson
Mbue questions who forgives whom and under what circumstances and why, veering close to easy answers only to set them on fire. The outward plot is captivating, but most profound as it reveals the tension between loss and love, self-interest and generosity, impulse and wisdom. This remarkably insightful book will make you grow in beautiful ways
Andrew Solomon