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.
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? Every Story Is a Love Story charts the uneven path from heartbreak to healing.
With Every Story Is a Love Story, Mbue has crafted a meditation on grief, harm and forgiveness ... These questions are plenty to think about, but are somewhat obscured by certain dynamics and storytelling decisions ... At its best, it’s a fascinating exploration of a somewhat flawed man whose life is inadvertently defined by the women closest to his heart.
Beginning slowly and building in intensity, Cameroon-born Mbue’s introspective novel examines a love that springs from tragedy. Readers who enjoyed Abraham Verghese’s The Covenant of Water will be drawn to this story.
