Available Formats
Paperback
Published: 17th June 2025
Paperback
Published: 23rd July 2024
Hardback
Published: 18th August 2024
CD-Audio, Audiobook
Published: 29th October 2024
This Motherless Land
By (Author) Nikki May
Transworld Publishers Ltd
Doubleday
23rd July 2024
United Kingdom
General
Fiction
Narrative theme: Diversity, equality, inclusion
Narrative theme: Identity / belonging
Modern and contemporary fiction: general and literary
Paperback
352
Width 153mm, Height 234mm, Spine 26mm
426g
From the acclaimed author of Wahala, a 'beautiful, bold, addictive' (Daisy Buchanan) retelling of Mansfield Park, exploring identity, culture, race and love 'A spirited exploration of culture and kinship--of how we belong, and to whom' BONNIE GARMUS 'Proves that love has the power to save a life again and again. Deeply emotional and entertaining' EMMA STONEX, author of The Lamplighters 'Beautiful, bold and addictive' DAISY BUCHANAN 'A vibrant coming-of-age story that explores love, longing and belonging in a multi-cultural family' CHARMAINE WILKERSON, author of Black Cake 'Gripping and poignant' NITA PROSE, author of The Maid 'A fantastic book. Highly original' LIZ NUGENT ______________ Set in modern-day Lagos and Somerset, two cultures collide in an entertaining and fast-moving tale of class, greed and prejudice that asks what does it take to truly belong When Funke's mother dies in a tragic accident in Lagos, she's sent to live with her maternal family in England. Traumatised by grief and against a backdrop of condescension and mild neglect, conformist Funke strives to fit in, determined to become one of them. Free-spirited Liv has always wanted to break free of her joyless family, resolved to be nothing like them. Fiercely protective of Funke, she at last has a purpose, and an ally. The two cousins give each other what they need most- love. But the past casts long shadows and the choices made by their mothers haunt Funke and Liv, shaping the trajectory of their adult lives. Can they escape their legacy Witty, warm, hugely entertaining, This Motherless Land bridges three decades and two continents, delving into the thorny territories of race and culture and belonging. At its heart is a story about love and how it can make the difference between surviving and thriving.
A spirited exploration of culture and kinship--of how we belong, and to whom * BONNIE GARMUS, author of LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY *
A vibrant coming-of-age story * CHARMAINE WILKERSON *
A gripping and poignant family saga that illuminates the lasting bond between two extraordinary cousins. I was completely immersed in this entrancing story * NITA PROSE, #1 New York Times bestselling author of THE MAID and THE MYSTERY GUEST *
THIS MOTHERLESS LAND takes Nikki May's writing to new heights. It's a novel about so many things - identity, belonging and acceptance; sisterhood, family and forgiveness - all wrapped up in the most compulsive and moving story. Funke and Liv gripped me from the start and didn't let go - their bond proves, across continents and decades, through adversity, prejudices and sacrifice, that love has the power to save a life again and again. Deeply emotional and wildly entertaining, this is a novel to treasure * EMMA STONEX, author of THE LAMPLIGHTERS *
Born in Bristol and raised in Lagos, Nikki May is Anglo-Nigerian. Her critically acclaimed debut novel WAHALA won the Comedy Women In Print New Voice Prize, was longlisted for the Goldsboro Glass Bell Award and the Diverse Books Award, and is being turned into a major BBC TV drama series. THIS MOTHERLESS LAND is her second novel. Nikki lives in Dorset with her husband, two standard Schnauzers and way too many books. She should be working on her third book but is probably reading. Twitter/X- @NikkiOMay Instagram- @NikkiMayWriter