Naomi L. Shank

WHEN THE UNIVERSE PIVOTS

An emotionally gripping novel about two women who journey into the fascinating, interwoven histories of Senegal and America.

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Upcoming Book Talks

The Dove Block Project

465 Exchange St., Geneva, New York

Sunday, September 27, 2026, 1:00 pm

Registration Required. Space is limited. Register here.

For more information, visit The Dove Block Project

Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of New Jersey Book Club

October 20, 2027 (Zoom)

West Africa Research Center

Dakar, Senegal

November 6, 2026

Chez Alpha Books

Dakar, Senegal

November 7, 2026

Portland Peace Corps Association Book Club

February 17, 2027 (Zoom)

Praise for When the Universe Pivots

“To read this novel is to step into… and witness tradition, language, religion, food, music and daily life of a remote village in Senegal as if you are truly there. It’s a novel that lets you play witness to the unraveling of interconnected heritage. Gorgeously weaving the past into the present, When the Universe Pivots would be an excellent book club pick for those drawn to realistic characters navigating the beautiful and difficult emotions of being human.”

—Independent Book Review

“Shank offers a novel about an American scholar in Senegal who’s determined to find connections that unite disparate cultures… Shank incorporates striking details along the way as Alice pursues her research… such content has much to offer readers… An inviting and studied take on the many links between the past and present.”

—Kirkus Reviews

Book Summary

In 1811 Louisiana, on the eve of the German Coast Slave Rebellion, Etienne Moreau makes a desperate choice to flee north with Marie and Louis, the enslaved twins he grew up alongside. Marie is carrying his child, and Etienne vows to secure freedom for them all. But their escape will ignite consequences that echo for generations.

Nearly two hundred years later, Alice Fontaine, a researcher haunted by regret, returns to Senegal to trace the origins of those enslaved in Louisiana. For Alice, this is more than academic—it’s personal. The Seereer village she once called home reshaped her life, and now she hopes to heal old wounds by inviting her estranged niece, Sylvie, to join her as a photographer. Yet both women carry secrets that threaten to fracture their fragile reunion.

As Alice and Sylvie attune to the rhythms of village life and navigate love interests—old and new—they uncover a mystery that binds their family to Etienne, Marie, and Louis’ fateful journey. What they learn will force them to confront the meaning of freedom, belonging, and the stories we inherit.

About the Author

Naomi L. Shank grew up in New York’s Finger Lakes and spent two transformative years in Senegal as a United States Peace Corps community development volunteer—a journey that inspired the heart of When the Universe Pivots. After a successful career in designing and developing strategic social change initiatives, Naomi founded SoftEarth Insights Coaching and Consulting, where she specializes in personal leadership and cultural attunement practices for individuals and groups. Her deep connection to Senegal runs through her life and work: Naomi is married to Diomaye Faye, founder of the Pan African Federalist Movement and uncle of Senegal’s fifth President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye. When the Universe Pivots is Naomi’s first novel.

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