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This Motherless Land

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This Motherless Land

By: Nikki May
Narrated by: Weruche Opia, Florence Howard
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

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.

'Beautiful, bold and addictive'
DAISY BUCHANAN

©2024 Nikki May (P)2024 Penguin Audio
African American Coming of Age Family Life Heartfelt Witty Tear-jerking
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Critic reviews

"A vibrant coming-of-age story that explores loss, longing, and belonging in a multicultural family. I never stopped believing in the bond between troubled cousins Funke and Liz, despite their cultural differences. This Motherless Land paints a memorable picture of a British-Nigerian girl struggling with loss and identity amid two cultures." -- Charmaine Wilkerson, New York Times bestselling author of Black Cake

"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, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Lamplighters

What listeners say about This Motherless Land

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Loved this audiobook

I loved the different cultures in this book. I liked the 2 readers. The fact that Funke accent was Nigerian made it come to life much better than it would by just reading it myself. It was heart warming and interesting and I would definitely recommend it.

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Fabulous. Thoroughly entertaining (and notes of Austen).

I was deeply immersed in this story. Every character 3 dimensional and alive in the words. The locations rendered beautifully. And possibly the evilest villain ever! Social drama elevated. Might go back to the beginning and listen again.

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Very enjoyable listen

I really enjoyed the characters, their interconnected stories and the ending was rewarding. Very good narration.

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Sublime!

6 stars! A moving and heartfelt story. Couldn’t stop listening, such excellent narration thoroughly recommended

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Outstanding Novel

If anyone is looking for a truly amazing book to read, I highly recommend this one by Nikki May, who was gracious enough to take time out of her busy schedule to come to our book club last week and tell us all about it!

I haven't yet read Nikki's debut novel, Wahala, but I'd heard wonderful things about it, so I was so excited to read this one and it did not disappoint. I alternated between the physical book and its audio counterpart, which is beyond fantastic.

Built from the foundations of Mansfield Park (note it is not a direct retelling, just built on the premise of being torn away from everything you know and love), it explores the challenges and heartbreak of being ripped from the place you call home. Poor Funke loses her beloved, kind (British) mother in a tragic car accident in Nigeria, and her father (Nigerian), consumed by grief, is unable to care for her, so Funke is sent to live with her horrid Aunt and indifferent grandparents in England, whom she had never met and has nothing in common with (they even change her name to Katherine or Kate). The only saving grace is her spirited and well-meaning cousin Liv.

Told in four sections (four periods of time), and alternating between Liv and Funke's perspective, this is a beautiful read. I learned so much about Nigerian culture and the experience of being a bi-racial child in England in the late 1970's/early 1980's. At times heart breaking, at times uproariously funny, this is an incredible book, with strong female characters. This Motherless Land also tackles important topics such as grief, abandonment and racism 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

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Captivating!

Fabulous storytelling and a joy to listen to audio. I was genuinely captivated! Highly recommend!

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Fantastic. Loved every minute

Great story of love, loss, greed and deception. What a piece of work Margot is!

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