Review: Cursed Daughters by Oyinkan Braithwaite
As any book lover will tell you, there are those titles that draw you in with their intriguing premises, and Cursed Daughters by Oyinkan Braithwaite is undoubtedly one of them. Fresh from the pages of Library Journal’s October 2025 issue with a well-deserved starred review, this novel explores generational trauma through an alluring blend of supernatural and familial complexities. Coming off the brilliant My Sister, The Serial Killer, I was eager to dive into Braithwaite’s latest offering, and I can gladly say that it didn’t disappoint—if anything, it keeps you on your toes in a way that is both unsettling and thought-provoking.
At the heart of Cursed Daughters is the Falodun family, whose lineage is marred by an ominous curse. The story unfolds in a hauntingly beautiful manner, starting with Monife’s tragic suicide in 2000 and transitioning seamlessly into the birth of her cousin Edun’s daughter, Eniiyi, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Monife. The multiple timelines—spanning from 1994 to 2025—allow us to experience the rich tapestry of these women’s lives through alternating perspectives, making every chapter a brief yet impactful exploration of their realities.
What I found particularly striking was Braithwaite’s ability to weave a narrative filled with unease, yet bursting with warmth and love. The characters feel incredibly real—not just through their experiences with the curse but also in the depth of their relationships. Monife, Edun, and Eniiyi each grapple with their identities in a world that is both shaped by and resistant to the shadows of their past. The writing style, with its brief chapters, propels the story forward, creating a page-turning urgency even as it deepens our understanding of the intricate family dynamics at play.
One of the standout techniques in the book is how it blurs the lines between the supernatural and the real. The question of whether Eniiyi is really Monife reincarnated is as compelling as it is unsettling. Braithwaite invites us to consider not only the power of superstition but also the generational trauma that often feels just as limiting. As we navigate the narrative, the haunting sense of unease—the “specter of death and ghosts,” as I like to call it—ensures that we remain engaged and reflective.
I couldn’t help but appreciate the structure of the narrative as well. The inclusion of the Falodun Family Tree at the beginning was a brilliant touch, allowing readers to keep track of the characters and their interconnected struggles. Braithwaite masterfully employs a horror overlay that serves not only as a plot mechanism but also as a lens through which the characters’ fears and traumas come to light. It’s a vivid reminder that sometimes, the most terrifying aspects of life come not from external forces, but from within our own histories.
If you’re a fan of thought-provoking literary fiction infused with echoes of horror—think The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett or Little Eve by Alma Katsu—you’ll find a haunting beauty in Cursed Daughters. It not only captivated me but left me contemplating the ways we navigate our familial legacies long after the final page. This is more than just a story about a curse; it’s an exploration of love, choices, and the fight against the haunting truths of our ancestry. For anyone who enjoys a gripping tale that challenges the boundaries of reality, this is a must-read that will linger in your thoughts and heart.
In the end, reading Cursed Daughters was not just a journey through the lives of the Falodun women; it was an invitation to reflect on the very nature of fate versus free will in our own lives. I promise, it’s a journey worth taking.
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