Lola Shoneyin

Titilola Alexandrah Shoneyin

Baba Segi's fourth wife, the young, quiet and college-educated Bolanle, sends his household into turmoil causing his other three wives to become jealous, resentful and to plot her downfall in this debut novel from the Nigerian-born poet. 50,000 first printing.

A Novel

The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives

The book was okay, I think the reviews I’ve read just held to too high a pedestal and it didn’t live up to my expectations. But it was an engaging enough read and the plot twist at the end made it worthwhile.

Nana O

Anjorin Molayo 

i’ll reread this over and over again without getting tired. so brilliant.

altlovesbooks

"Only a foolish woman leans heavily on a man's promises."

I don't know what I expected out of this book, but it was an incredibly compelling read. While polygamy isn't personally my thing, I loved reading how these four women interacted within Baba Segi's household. Turns out the result is lots of drama, lots of jealousy, lots of backstabbing. 

Four women are married to Baba Segi, with Bolanle being the fourth wife. While the book initially starts us off on trying to figure out why Bolanle is unable to bear children, we're switched to the different viewpoints of first wife Iya Segi, second wife Iya Tope, and third wife Iya Femi and a new story emerges. The book changes viewpoints frequently amongst the wives, Baba Segi, and other people within the story's circle, and I liked how each different viewpoint layered something new onto Bolanle's story. While I saw the ending coming, how we got there was a really interesting ride. 

I liked that the author was able to weave in funny moments into this tragic story, particularly surrounding Baba Segi himself. The story as a whole had a soap opera feel, but I enjoyed it immensely. It's not a long book, and the author clearly nailed the pacing in my opinion. Nothing felt slow, extraneous, or extra, everything added a little something more, and I really liked that. 

Fair warning, there's a fair bit of sexism, and some explicit sexual scenes. It didn't bother me much since they added to the story, but if sexism isn't your thing, maybe pass on this one.

Shona Tiger

Took me a minute to get into this, to connect with the characters - but really enjoyed it! Enjoyed the different wives' voices, and getting to know them better after forming initial (wrong) judgements. Possibly 4.5 stars because of the great, well-rounded characters.

Alisha 

This is a really good book & not what I expected. A sharp and interesting take on polygamy from the minds of four very different women with different goals that collide in a story of loss, love and control.

Ang’asa Malowa

"You are not a god, so strike that from your mind. We are mere mortals who must humbly accept our destinies."
From poverty and its emasculation of the male figure; "that the lot of poor men is to get what they can and go quietly". To the depths of blindness hate can stir for co-wives with secrets to hide and territories to keep; not forgetting the pain that is the childless womb in a space where blame is first and often only cast on the woman and a father stolen from his own by unending shots of Gin : the back and forth between chapters dedicated to building a character at a time may be confusing but with lines like "Iya Femi picked me up with her eyes and threw me to the floor" Lola Shoneyin weaves an interesting tale - blackening the kettle as she blackens the pots. 
There is no yellow ending; more a mixture of bitter sweet hues laden with a kind of freedom given to each his own.

Adebimpe Bashorun

Baba Segi's household reminded me of Fuji House of commotion a lot. It was mostly hilarious for me albeit sad in some pages. I really liked how the book was predictable but the writing leading up to the end was amazing. 

It made me thank my parents for educating me and made me grateful for the support system that I have. You should really read it, it warms you yet speaks on different topics that makes you think about how you grew up especially if you are a 90s baby like me.

The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives A Novel

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