From the New York Times bestselling author of Behold the Dreamers and How Beautiful We Were, a captivating novel about love lost—and the weight of regret
‘Every Story Is a Love Story is 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, author of Buckeye
What if I’d never gotten into that car? What if I’d pulled out of the driveway five minutes earlier, or ten minutes later?
Three years ago, Wolo’s wife was killed in a tragic car accident. In an instant, the great love of his life was gone, and so was their beautiful future. In the face of a loss that seemed insurmountable, Wolo has slowly rebuilt a semblance of a life: he goes to work, hangs out with a small circle of friends, and fends off the matchmaking efforts of the older women in his family. The grief that dogged him has, with time, become a little gentler.
Until a letter arrives one day, unbidden, threatening to upend his life once again. It is from Victoria, the woman who was behind the wheel that terrible day. Wolo’s family pastor tells him the letter is the work of the devil; his mother expressly forbids him from making further mention of it; his father’s second wife calls, from Cameroon, to tell him to destroy it. But Wolo ponders it for days, and ultimately agrees to meet with the woman who killed his wife. When he does, the compassion and deep remorse of the woman affects him in ways he had never imagined, and he begins to wonder if the long road to healing can be shared.
What do we owe to those who have hurt us? Are we defined by our worst moments and our deepest regrets? And, more than anything, can forgiveness ease our suffering? Moving and full of life, Every Story Is a Love Story charts the uneven path from heartbreak to healing.
Genre: Literary Fiction
‘Every Story Is a Love Story is 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, author of Buckeye
What if I’d never gotten into that car? What if I’d pulled out of the driveway five minutes earlier, or ten minutes later?
Three years ago, Wolo’s wife was killed in a tragic car accident. In an instant, the great love of his life was gone, and so was their beautiful future. In the face of a loss that seemed insurmountable, Wolo has slowly rebuilt a semblance of a life: he goes to work, hangs out with a small circle of friends, and fends off the matchmaking efforts of the older women in his family. The grief that dogged him has, with time, become a little gentler.
Until a letter arrives one day, unbidden, threatening to upend his life once again. It is from Victoria, the woman who was behind the wheel that terrible day. Wolo’s family pastor tells him the letter is the work of the devil; his mother expressly forbids him from making further mention of it; his father’s second wife calls, from Cameroon, to tell him to destroy it. But Wolo ponders it for days, and ultimately agrees to meet with the woman who killed his wife. When he does, the compassion and deep remorse of the woman affects him in ways he had never imagined, and he begins to wonder if the long road to healing can be shared.
What do we owe to those who have hurt us? Are we defined by our worst moments and our deepest regrets? And, more than anything, can forgiveness ease our suffering? Moving and full of life, Every Story Is a Love Story charts the uneven path from heartbreak to healing.
Genre: Literary Fiction
Praise for this book
"The unforgettable story of a community on the wrong end of Western greed, How Beautiful We Were will enthral you, appal you and show you what is possible when a few people stand up and say 'this is not right'. A masterful novel by a spellbinding writer engaged with the most urgent questions of our day." - David Ebershoff
"Imbolo Mbue would be a formidable storyteller anywhere, in any language." - Jonathan Franzen
"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 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
"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
"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
"A book of heartwrenching what ifs that will keep you guessing and thinking about loss, forgiveness, family and, yes, love." - Charmaine Wilkerson
"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
"Imbolo Mbue would be a formidable storyteller anywhere, in any language." - Jonathan Franzen
"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 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
"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
"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
"A book of heartwrenching what ifs that will keep you guessing and thinking about loss, forgiveness, family and, yes, love." - Charmaine Wilkerson
"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
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