Nikki May

“If you don’t want to be bored, you need to stop being boring.”
If this book is anything, it’s definitely not boring! Ronke, Boo, and Simi start off the story living seemingly perfect but subtly flawed lives - or at least variations of such - but introduce a long-lost best friend (Isobel) and the trio devolves into absolute chaos. It’s not enough to see the girls go through the trials and tribulations of being in their mid-30s and beginning to question the choices they’ve made (a show more tried and true Sex and the City-esque storyarc), but by the end of the novel we discover that Isobel isn’t just a slightly bad influence; she’s there to actively destroy their lives in a downright psychotic act of vengeance. Even forewarned as we are, the wahala (trouble) that Isobel brings is so subtle in its building that by the time we realise that there’s no way the girls will get out unscathed it’s far too late and we have to keep watching the crash as it unfolds across the pages. Bolstering the high emotional stakes is the lush scene that Nikki May paints behind the girls. Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte, and Samantha had New York as their playground, and Ronke, Boo, and Simi tread the streets of London with an equal amount of panache. Substitute delicious-sounding Nigerian food for Cosmopolitans and family dynamics for fashionista showdowns (we all know our London ladies have a touch more substance than their NYC equivalents haha), and we have a stunner of a story on our hands. Can’t wait to see what Nikki May will write next! show less

From outraged Austenites come great recommendations - thank you to whoever was up in arms last year about the author calling Fanny Price 'pious and insipid' (let's be real, she is) because that's how I found this wonderful book! Five star reads, that I can't put down and can't stop thinking about when not reading, are rare for me, and this was a gem.

Back to Austen - this is, according to Nikki May, a 'decolonialised reimagining' of Austen's Mansfield Park. The story doesn't follow the show more original text but Fanny becomes Funke, a ten year old Nigerian girl who is sent to live in England with her maternal family when tragedy shatters her world. There she meets her cousin, Liv (a female take on Edmund, without the 'icky cousin sex'!), who becomes her one friend and protector in an alien country (the motherless land of the title). The two girls bond, despite Liv's grasping and bitter mother Margot (Mrs Norris reincarnated, in all her pantomime villain glory), and Funke - renamed Kate - overcomes her grief and homesickness, while learning the hard reality of racism. She grows and settles in with Liv and their grandparents - but of course, life has a few more lessons in store, for both Funke and Liv.

I honestly think this is a great retake of Mansfield Park - I certainly hated Margot as much as Mrs Norris, actually tensing up when she was at her worst! Funke herself is a far stronger heroine than Fanny - sorry, I know everyone now thinks that fawning over Fanny and her puritanical streak is edgy, but she grates on my nerves - and Liv is a loveable loser. The twists and (telegraphed) tragedies in Funke's life were like repeated punches in the gut, but the time skips - 1978, 1986, 1992, 1998 - were both helpful and a little frustrating in cutting short the worst emotions and helping Funke and Liv to move on.

Full praise to author for really writing about what she knows and bringing both the poverty and paradise of Nigeria to life, against the grey skies and prejudices of the UK - she emphasises Funke's struggle to fit into both worlds, as the child of a white mother and a Black father. And not to sound like a patronising 'oynibo', but I would really love to try some of the Nigerian dishes mentioned in the book now, too!

I loved the combination of Austen inspired characters, switching race for class, and the high drama of Funke's determination to survive in both Nigeria and England. The epilogue, for both Funke and Liv, strays into romcom territory (or god forbid, romance) - but they earned their HEAs! show less

This Motherless Land is the story of two girls, Funke and Liv. Funke is Nigerian and Liv is British and when Funke's beautiful family is torn apart in a tragic accident she is sent to England to live with her mother's estranged family. Liv is Funke's cousin and they become great friends, but Liv's upbringing with her unkind and greedy mother leads to some actions that have far-reaching effects for both of the girls.

The story begins in 1978 and follows Funke and Liv over the following twenty show more years. I loved every bit of this brilliant and heart-warming story. Both main characters totally captured my heart. Funke is very easy to like as she has a kind nature, and Liv is more of an up and down character, self-destructive at times but ultimately she redeems herself.

This book is a retelling of Mansfield Park by Jane Austen but if, like me, you are not really that familiar with that book then don't worry as you don't need to be. However, it's easy to see where the inspiration comes from with a large country house, toxic relatives, a delightful heroine in need of rescue, faded grandeur and greed all playing their part in the tale. Where This Motherless Land really stands out is the Nigerian aspect, the culture, the traditions, and the juxtaposition between all of that and the typical British stiff upper lip and upper class superiority. I enjoyed both settings very much and thought the author portrayed them really well, perhaps because she is Anglo-Nigerian herself and so is able to depict the good and bad parts of both authentically.

I loved Nikki May's debut, Wahala, and I loved This Motherless Land just as much (maybe more!) with its brilliantly-drawn characters, settings that transported me there and a plot that drew me in, made me smile and broke my heart. What a fabulous read! show less

Sex and the City with a killer edge? For fans of Expectation and Queenie? I thought Wahala was sure to be my kind of read and I was right. I absolutely loved every page of it.

Three close friends: Ronke, Boo and Simi. They're all English/Nigerian and embrace both cultures in varying degrees. They're successful and clever but like most people they have their problems and their secrets. The story begins with Isobel, an old friend of Simi's, being introduced to the group and from there the show more trio's friendship and their individual lives are threatened. Isobel is very much a cuckoo in the nest, although none of them realise it as Isobel is devious and on a mission to divide and conquer.

This is an incredible debut from Nikki May. The writing is astute and exciting, the reader a fly on the wall as each woman is played to great effect by Isobel. The chapters are told alternately from each point of view and I found it fascinating to watch Isobel weaving her web and just waiting for Ronke, Boo and Simi to fly right into it and get caught.

Ronke was my favourite character without a doubt, but each of them is brilliantly portrayed. This book is so real and is a perfect portrayal of the ups and downs of friendships. I loved all the Nigerian cultural references and the traditional food. If you read this book and it makes you hungry then there are a few recipes at the end to try out.

Wahala is a dazzling, rich and effervescent read. It's relevant and full of life, and that aforementioned killer edge was unexpectedly shocking. Just fantastic in every way. show less