A review by serendipitysbooks
The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives by Lola Shoneyin

emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 
I really enjoyed The Secret Lives Of Baba Segi’s Wives. One of the things that stood out for me was fabulous storytelling which felt strongly linked to an oral storytelling tradition, something no doubt enhanced by my listening to the wonderful audiobook.

Baba Segi, his three wives, and their children live harmoniously, until he introduces a fourth wife to the household, one who is younger and college educated. The three other wives are resentful and determine to get rid of Bolanle, convinced that she thinks she is better than them, and that she is stealing their husband’s time and attention. Meanwhile she seems unable to conceive which is a problem because he values children above all else. As the novel unfolds we learn the backstories of all four women and get to the bottom of Bolanle’s infertility.

This is a story that covers a lot of very heavy topics - domestic abuse, rape, and the death of a child - yet it didn’t feel like an overly heavy read. The heaviness was balanced by humour, frank, sarcastic and sexually open conversations, and a general over-the-top, soap opera like vibe. I couldn’t help admiring the resourcefulness of the women as they sought to gain what they wanted and develop some agency in their lives, while at the same time abhorring some of their actions. Polygamous marriages are not common in the West and I think the author did a great job in portraying the reality, the good and the bad, and why women might consent to entering one.

The story was very much rooted in the Nigerian culture, yet many of its points regarding gender roles and male-female relationships are more universal. Overall this is surprisingly entertaining, while still leaving the reader with something to think about. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings