This Motherless Land

About the book

SHORTLISTED FOR THE NIGERIA BOOK PRIZE 2025
A READ WITH JENNA PICK!

From the prize-winning author of WAHALA, a powerful de-colonial re-imagining of MANSFIELD PARK, exploring identity, culture, race and love

'A spirited exploration of culture and kinship' BONNIE GARMUS
'Deeply emotional and entertaining' EMMA STONEX, author of The Lamplighters
'Tugs at the heartstrings' DAMILARE KUKU, author of Nearly all the Men in Lagos are Mad
'Told by wonderful, authentic characters. I loved it' JENNIE GODFREY, author of The List of Suspicious Things
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When Funke's mother dies in an accident in Lagos, she's sent to live with her maternal family in England. Against a backdrop of condescension and mild neglect, sensible Funke strives to fit in, determined to become one of them.

Free-spirited Liv has always wanted to break free of her joyless family, to be nothing like them. Fiercely protective of Funke, she at last has 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 them, 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.

Praise for This Motherless Land:

'A fierce and evocative retelling of Mansfield Park' BETH MORREY

'Utter perfection from start to finish, This Motherless Land broke my heart then put it back together.' LAURA MARSHALL, author of Friend Request

'A spirited exploration of culture and kinship--of how we belong, and to whom' BONNIE GARMUS

'A fantastic book. Highly original' LIZ NUGENT, author of Strange Sally Diamond

'Proves that love has the power to save a life again and again. A novel to treasure' EMMA STONEX, author of The Lamplighters

'Brilliantly observant, funny, moving and addictive read. I loved it' KATE SAWYER

'A vibrant coming-of-age story that explores love, longing and belonging in a multi-cultural family' CHARMAINE WILKERSON, bestselling author of Black Cake

'Gripping and poignant' NITA PROSE, bestselling author of The Maid

'Beautiful, bold and addictive' DAISY BUCHANAN

'Completely brilliant. A compulsive re-telling of Mansfield Park, exploring home, family, love and community' JENNIE GODFREY, author of The List of Suspicious Things

'A proper, epic, family saga . . . I was obsessed. Nikki has written a classic' JO CALLAGHAN, author of In the Blink of an Eye