The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives
Dec 2010 · Profile Books
4.7star
32 reviews
Ebook
313
Pages
About this ebook
Coming soon to Netflix
'Comic, tragic, topical and entertaining in equal measure' - Bernardine Evaristo
To the dismay of her ambitious mother, Bolanle marries into a polygamous family, where she is the fourth wife of a rich, rotund patriarch, Baba Segi. She is a graduate and therefore considered a great prize in Nigeria, but even graduates must produce children and her husband's persistent bellyache is a sign that things are not as they should be. She only wants to escape to a quiet life, but the others disapprove of the newest, youngest, cleverest addition to the family. Treated with respect by her husband, she is viewed with suspicion by her seniors - who fear she may unlock their well-guarded secret.
Through the voices of Baba Segi and his four wives, Lola Shoneyin weaves a vibrant story of love, secrets and a family like every other - happy and unhappy, truthful and not, sometimes kind, sometimes competitive, always bound by blood, and the past.
'Comic, tragic, topical and entertaining in equal measure' - Bernardine Evaristo
To the dismay of her ambitious mother, Bolanle marries into a polygamous family, where she is the fourth wife of a rich, rotund patriarch, Baba Segi. She is a graduate and therefore considered a great prize in Nigeria, but even graduates must produce children and her husband's persistent bellyache is a sign that things are not as they should be. She only wants to escape to a quiet life, but the others disapprove of the newest, youngest, cleverest addition to the family. Treated with respect by her husband, she is viewed with suspicion by her seniors - who fear she may unlock their well-guarded secret.
Through the voices of Baba Segi and his four wives, Lola Shoneyin weaves a vibrant story of love, secrets and a family like every other - happy and unhappy, truthful and not, sometimes kind, sometimes competitive, always bound by blood, and the past.
Ratings and reviews
4.7
32 reviews
Kay M
- Flag inappropriate
December 16, 2014
Beautiful book that gives us a glimpse into a world most of us will never be a part of but in such a way that most of us connect to it. LOVED IT!! highly recommend it, you'll never see that end coming ;)
Nkosi
- Flag inappropriate
April 11, 2020
This is a sad tale of poverty, deceit, jealousy and hatred. I couldn't put the book down and I want a sequel.
Nonhlanhla Masuku
- Flag inappropriate
December 14, 2019
Deep life lessons that have no borders and ageless. Let us continue to talk and make this world a better place for all.
About the author
Lola Shoneyin has published three collections of poems and a children's book. The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives is her debut novel. In 2014 she was named on the Hay Festival's Africa39 list of 39 Sub-Saharan African writers aged under 40. Shoneyin is the director of Ake Arts and Book Festival. She lives in Lagos, Nigeria.
Reading information
Smartphones and tablets
Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.
Laptops and computers
You can listen to audiobooks purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.
eReaders and other devices
To read on e-ink devices like Kobo eReaders, you'll need to download a file and transfer it to your device. Follow the detailed Help Center instructions to transfer the files to supported eReaders.