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ClareR (6256 KP) rated Rootless in Books

Apr 19, 2026  
Rootless
Rootless
Krystle Zara Appiah | 2023 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Rootless is undeniably a well written book, and I did enjoy it - even though at times I found it really hard going because of the subject matter.

It follows the lives of Efe and Sam, best friends from school who get married and have a child. Efe is reluctant to become a mother and is pressured into doing so by her family and Sam. She has unresolved childhood trauma, and pregnancy/ motherhood does nothing to help her get over that. She is a woman suffering under the weight of all the things other people expect her to do. There’s the odd moment where Eve does what she wants, but cultural expectations seem to be the winner in all this.

There’s a lot of lead up too this point where we get to know Efe and Sam and the reasons why they make their later choices. It’s a frustrating read at points, but then other people’s choices lives can be just that when their choices are different to those that you imagine you would take in their place! It’s always good to look at the other side, I think.

Efe and Sam are people who would have benefitted from counselling, parenting classes and more support!

Be prepared for a very sad ending, though - tissues at the ready!
  
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ClareR (6256 KP) rated This Motherless Land in Books

Nov 23, 2025  
This Motherless Land
This Motherless Land
Nikki May | 2024 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This Motherless Land is a modern day retelling based loosely on Mansfield Park. Instead of the differences between a poor working class girl and a rich upperclass family, TML shows the differences between family split between Lagos and Somerset.

Funke is by no means from a poor family in Lagos, in fact quite the opposite. Instead of ‘just’ class (as in Mansfield Park), this novel shows the attitudes and racism towards Funke, and the class they perceive her to be based on that racism, when she is sent to live with her grandparents in England. Instead of the love and support she needs and deserves, her family are detached and racist. Her cousin Liv is the only one who makes an effort, and they form a special relationship as children. But even this relationship isn’t safe, and after a misunderstanding, Funke faces more tragedy.

I loved this book. Told over three decades, I really got to know the characters (although I could have really done without ever knowing Funke’s English aunt). There are emotional highs and lows for Funke and her family. Grief and loss are central themes. I loved the cultural contrasts between Nigeria and England and the way they were described - these countries are worlds apart.

I was RAGING at some parts of this book - such was the frankly excellent writing. I was all in!!