This Motherless Land, A Read with Jenna Pick By Nikki May

*This Motherless Land* is a poignant and vibrant decolonial retelling of Jane Austen’s *Mansfield Park*, blending the exploration of identity, culture, and race with a rich family saga. Funke, a quiet and introspective young girl, is content with her life in Nigeria, surrounded by the love of her art teacher mother, professor father, and her spirited little brother. But when tragedy strikes, she is sent to England, a country she only knows through her mother’s stories. Upon arrival, she is disillusioned by the dilapidated estate, the bland food, and the coldness of her mother’s family. The only warmth she finds is in her cousin Liv, a free-spirited girl eager to break away from her joyless relatives.

Liv becomes Funke's protector, and the two grow inseparable, navigating the complexities of their shared family history. However, a second tragedy tears their bond apart. As they struggle to move forward, the weight of their mothers' choices and their fractured friendship looms large.

Spanning two decades and alternating between the quiet rural landscapes of Somerset and the vibrant streets of Lagos, *This Motherless Land* is a sweeping exploration of how generational wrongs can affect identity, belonging, and the pursuit of love. It raises powerful questions about how we reconcile the past with our future, and whether it’s possible to heal and find a sense of family when old wounds refuse to fade. 📚❤️