Mansfield Park retelling set in Lagos

Submitted: 29th October 2024

This Motherless Land – Nikki May

The author behind the smash hit Wahala does it again!

You really have to read this new novel – This Motherless Land – might be billed as a retelling of Mansfield Park and it is. However it is so much more than this.

Map of locations in This Motherless Land

motherless

BOARDING PASS INFORMATION

Destination : Lagos and London

Author guide: Nikki May

Genre: fiction

Food and drink to accompany: Oh the food from Lagos!

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A novel to transport you to Lagos and London

Map of locations in This Motherless Land

Nikki May is a very special writer. As well as being an utterly wonderful human might I add!

I have read Mansfield Park but you really don’t have to in order to love this novel or to understand its nuances and tender touches. The characters are some of the most complex and lovely I have come across in some time. It’s a gifted writer that can take touches of Austen and make it entirely her own!

In a nutshell, Funke lives in Lagos with her family but when her mum dies in an accident, she goes to live in England. What with culture shocks, a life she left behind and an aunt who dislikes her, she doesn’t have much going for her. There is cousin Liv however who is like a beacon of hope in a storm. This delightful relationship is one of the jewels of the book.

Funke is heartbroken to be sent back to Lagos (that darn aunt again) and she missed Liv as soon as she leaves her. Meanwhile, Liv misses her too and starts to act in a way that causes her to spiral in many ways. What happens next is moving, poignant and a gift from Nikki May ‘s pen.

A clever way of bringing all the complexity and social mores of Austen to a new landscape, with amazing characters and all the emotions you can shake a stick at. TML is a novel about siblings, relationships and most of all, belonging. Everyone will get something from this book. I learnt about Nigerian culture, read about what it means to be black and/or a mix of two cultures and can honestly say that this is a powerful read that will linger in my mind for quite a while!

Can I just give a special mention to Billy the parrot! Star of the show in my eyes.