Have you ever been recommended a book, and you decided to give it a try, hoping it would turn out amazing? Yeah, I am sure most of us have. Lately, I have been trying to get to read more African books. After receiving some recommendations, I decided to start with The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives.
I didn’t really hesitate to give it a shot — the online ratings were good, and most importantly, the book was quite short, so I knew I would finish it fast because I am currently writing examinations and I don’t want too many distractions.
ABOUT THE BOOK
“The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives” by Lola Shoneyin is a Nigerian novel set in the 1990s and published in 2010. The book focuses on a polygamous household, gender roles, family dynamics, societal issues, and expectations.
The story follows Baba Segi, a wealthy and illiterate man who, despite being loving, is also patriarchal, authoritarian, and pompous. This leads him to marry three illiterate wives: Iya Segi, Iya Tope, and Iya Femi. He then becomes infatuated with Bolanle, an educated woman, who becomes his fourth wife.
The narrative is primarily structured around these five characters, showcasing their points of view, personalities, and backstories. Iya Segi, the first wife, is a lover of money and is indirectly the backbone of Baba Segi’s success. Iya Tope, the second wife, has a passion for weeding on farms and was given to Baba Segi by her father. Iya Femi, the third wife, was a spoiled child who eventually became a maid and begged Babs Segi to marry her. Lastly, there’s Bolanle, the pride of Baba Segi, who had her past that made her unworthy, but she chose to give herself to Baba Segi. Together, he had seven children.
The story takes a turn when Bolanle joins the household, disrupting the established order and pattern. Bolanle’s education and aura set her apart from the other wives, creating tension.
A secret between the wives binds them together, and Bolanle’s presence threatens this bond. Their envy, hatred, anger, and conspiracy are undeniable. They believe she has captured Baba Segi’s heart with her eloquent words and youthful appearance. What annoys them most is Bolanle’s unbothered attitude.
But soon enough, Baba Segi’s love for Bolanle begins to waver when she fails to bear him a child. Baba Segi, like many in traditional African societies, places a high value on children, but what happens when Bolanle fails to bear him a child?
What is the fate of Bolanle who failed to bear a child? What secrets have the wives fought so hard to remain hidden? How will Bolanle survive in the midst of the jealous wives who seem to tower over her? How long will the tension within the household linger?
MY THOUGHTS.
One thing I love about the book is how it delves into some aspects of societal issues, like the tension between tradition and modernity. The novels contrast the traditional practices upheld by Baba Segi with the more modern perspective of his new wife.
The novel also explores Patriarchy, showing how deeply ingrained gender roles dictate the function and behaviour of men and women. It highlights the subjection of women in society, and the immense pressure on them to bear children while neglecting the man’s role in this responsibility.
I appreciate how the books give each character a platform, allowing you to connect with their background and personalities. This reveals the inner strength of the women, their past struggles, and how they cope with or rebel against the expectations placed on them.
I love to reflect on things while I read, and I picked up a few lessons from the subtleties of the story, which made the book more appealing to me. While many might not find the ending satisfying, I found it acceptable.
Personally, the storyline felt quite mediocre to me—too familiar, although, of course, with slight differences. I’ve watched tons of Nollywood movies with similar patterns, and I have seen occurrences like this in real life. The book was very predictable to me. However, considering it was published 14 years ago, perhaps it wasn’t as common then.
Still, In my opinion. If you are not too familiar with Nigerian culture or society, particularly during the 1990s, the story would be enjoyable to you.
Although the story was familiar, I was rooting and hoping for a twist—maybe Bolanle’s entry into an educated household was part of a planned agenda of sorts, but yeah. It was quite disappointing to me.
Lola Shoneyin is a fine writer, with a narrative structure that draws readers into her world. This is the first novel of hers that I’ve read, and I would love to explore more of her work.
Overall, “The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives” is an engaging exploration of polygamy, power dynamics, secrets, and betrayal. I will rate it 3.9 out of 5, mainly because the story was too familiar to me.
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Trigger warnings: The novel contains themes of rape, sexual violence, and domestic abuse.
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Image is screenshot from my e-book. Thumbnail designed using Canva.
