Returning to Benin

This is the story of Alice who after living in England for 50 years, wants to return to her homeland of Nigeria to die. Her difficult husband has been killed in a fire giving her the freedom to leave. However her 3 adult children are understandably concerned about having her so far away. Also she needs to build a house on the land she owns in Benin City. (Benin just keeps coming up in the books I am reading). They try to help her while at the same time dealing with all types of complications in their own lives. I loved this, but am sorry I didn't first read its precursor 'Ordinary People' - not to be confused with either 'Normal People' or 'Museum of Ordinary People' - as I think that the prior story of the daughter Melissa would have enriched this one. Also there are references to British politics, events and the realities of growing up black in Britain that were unfamiliar to me. But the story keeps moving and I found it an engaging and really interesting read.