Hope and Glory

A woman returns to her dysfunctional family and attempts to reintegrate into London’s British-Nigerian community in Benson’s moving debut. After Glory Akíndélé’s father dies, she quits her marketing job in Los Angeles and goes back to South London, where her family is preparing for her father’s funeral and still reeling from the recent imprisonment of Glory’s brother, Victor, who was convicted on questionable manslaughter charges. Glory’s eldest sister, Faith, keeps their mother financially afloat with the help of her lawyer husband, but Glory’s mother, unable to cope with her recent losses, reaches a psychological breaking point. After Glory moves back into her mother’s home to help out, she stumbles upon a family secret that sets her on a search to bring her family together again. Along the way, she reconnects with Victor and begins a romance with Julian, a handsome entrepreneur chafing at the gang violence in their neighborhood. Benson expertly portrays the anguish, friction, and love of a family under immense strain while providing insights on the difficulties faced by immigrants. The result is a sumptuous and satisfying meditation on family and the meaning of home. (Apr.)