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The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives

by Lola Shoneyin (Goodreads Author)

3.78 of 5 stars 3.78 · rating details · 1,770 ratings · 355 reviews

When Baba Segi awoke with a bellyache for the sixth day in a row, he knew it was time to do something drastic about his fourth wife's childlessness.

Meet Baba Segi . . .

A plump, vain, and prosperous middle-aged man of robust appetites, Baba Segi is the patriarch of a large household that includes a quartet of wives and seven children. But his desire to possess more just mig...more

Hardcover, 280 pages

Published June 29th 2010 by William Morrow & Company (first published May 2009)

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Community Reviews

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Jul 04, 2010 Susie Gaines rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book blew me away. I never thought I'd be interested in a book about Africa; it's usually not my thing. The novel had me hooked after the first page. The language is mesmerising and it was refreshing to read what English sounds like when it has an African feel.

The novel is about a polygamous family that is about to implode but doesn't know it. The newest wife fails to conceive and after two years, the patriarch, Baba Segi, takes her (Bolanle) to a hospital. This is where everything starts t...more

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Apr 26, 2011 Christine rated it 5 of 5 stars

As a Western woman who believes in monogamy, I wasn’t sure this tale of Nigerian women in a polygamous marriage would have anything to say to me. Still, once I read the first paragraph, it was nearly impossible to put the tale of “The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives” down. Truly, author Lola Shoneyin has not just given us a glimpse inside the family life of Baba Segi and his four wives, but also a universal tale of secrets, compromises, and human interactions.

The story centers on the dynamic o...more As a Western woman who believes in monogamy, I wasn’t sure this tale of Nigerian women in a polygamous marriage would have anything to say to me. Still, once I read the first paragraph, it was nearly impossible to put the tale of “The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives” down. Truly, author Lola Shoneyin has not just given us a glimpse inside the family life of Baba Segi and his four wives, but also a universal tale of secrets, compromises, and human interactions.

The story centers on the dynamic of Babi Segi’s family. This patriarch supports three wives and seven children, but still he wants more. When a well-educated young woman drops by his business one day with a friend, his desire for a fourth wife is clear. But just what does Bolanle (the fourth wife) have to gain by entering this already crowded household?

The answer to that question, along with the relationships among family members are the heart and soul of this powerful work. There’s intrigue and jealousy, motherly love and wandering eyes, superstition and college smarts. In short, this novel is amazingly insightful about relationships and the choices people make with their lives.

Although the story centers on four women struggling within a single family, this could just have easily been four women working together in an office or four childhood friends who’ve grown up together. How the women interact, the decisions they make, the force of personality (or lack thereof)…these are the crux of the storyline.

The book does offer those of us in the West new insights about life in Nigeria, but that isn’t the reason to read this book necessarily. This is a story of how people treat each other and themselves, whether in a relationship, in a family dynamic, or just carving out their life path. It offers plenty of food for thought, no matter which country you live in or how you define marriage.

The characters who populate this story are women and men you know, and their feelings and decisions about life are those familiar to us all. Should we extend a helping hand or should we guard against the unknown? What happens when we experience a devastating experience, and how do we overcome it? How do our life experiences change the people we are? These topics and many more are the subject of Lola Shoneyin’s book, a book well worth reading!(less)

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Jul 15, 2010 Tara Chevrestt rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010-release, librarything

Throughout the first quarter of this novel, I found myself laughing my butt off. Baba Segi is one of the most ignorant men to walk the face of this earth (in fiction anyway.) Sure, men see him as successful because after all, he is able to afford four wives and 7 children and four comfortable armchairs, but this man is not only terribly stupid at times but he also vomits on himself when he gets upset and um, at one point, he poops his pants.

So... by the time I got to the part where the polygami...more

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Apr 26, 2014 Leslie Reese rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

“From my bedroom I heard my mother sobbing, which was strange because the prospect of death did not usually upset her. She said she wanted to go to heaven and kill my father all over again. She was desperate for me to be married.”

Nigerian Baba Segi is the hardworking, uneducated husband to three wives: Iya Segi, Iya Tope, and Iya Tope; and father to their seven children. Their lives take place in Ayikara as the 20th century is drawing to a close. When Baba Segi takes a fourth wife, Bolanle, laye...more

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Jul 22, 2013 Didi rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'm so glad I picked up this book, which I found researching books left and right. When I saw that it was a book on polygamy frankly I had no idea what to expect. My first thought was maybe something cliché. What I got was something much more interesting. It was a story I had a lot of trouble putting down although I was forced to because of work. Shoneyin who is more known for her poetry has debuted with a book which analyses polygamy, African tradition, and relationships between men and women w...more

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Jul 10, 2011 Christina rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-reads, source-library, location-africa

The narration of this novel shifts from third person point of view to the first person point of view of Bolanle to the first person point of view of Iya Tope to third person to first person. Sound confusing? It was. Other than marriage, there really wasn’t much stringing these characters and their narratives together. The voices and characters of Baba Segi and the first three wives left much to be desired. Part of my frustration with the narration stemmed from the fact that their was nothing to...more

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Jul 13, 2010 Beverly rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: africa

This is the first novel by Lola Shoneyin. i was interested in reading this book because the author has published poetry in the past and in my experience this actually prepares writers for telling their stories in a succient manner, and her father-in-law is Wole Soyinka, so I figured she has access to good literary resources to make sure that she wrote a worthy book. But, I did think that initial storyline sounded a little predictable - a man who has three wives takes an educated fourth wife that...more

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Jun 07, 2010 B. rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2010

I was given an ARC of this novel by the publisher, William Morrow, an imprint of Harper Collins.

The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives takes place in present day Nigeria and tells the story of Baba Segi and his four wives and seven children. Much of the novel is narrated by Bolanle, the last wife. Her entrance into the family causes turmoil above and beyond the usual upheaval that occurs when a new wife is taken, as it exposes a secret that will change the family forever.

While the novel is set in...more

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Jul 04, 2011 Sterlingcindysu rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-first-wins-reviews

Thanks to William Morrow for a copy!

Poor Baba Segi. I always feel sorry for men who have to handle alot of women in their lives and he's no exception. The women aren't portrayed as warm, loving, caring people. Baba=father. His fourth wife is someone who went to college, and just like Barb in Big Love, you wonder why an educated woman would agree to that. She actually (unknowingly) undoes the secrets of the other wives, yet it's because they don't trust her that she undoes them. Unusual setting,...more

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Dec 17, 2013 Friederike Knabe rated it 4 of 5 stars

Ishola Alao, known as Baba Segi, has a problem that upsets his stomach and general well-being. After two years of trying, his fourth wife still does not show any signs of being pregnant. He already has a stable of kids with his other wives, but what is the use of another marriage if it doesn't give him more offspring? Furthermore, his young wife, "the graduate", has been creating unease and tension between his other wives. It is really beyond him to understand what the reason could be, given tha...more Ishola Alao, known as Baba Segi, has a problem that upsets his stomach and general well-being. After two years of trying, his fourth wife still does not show any signs of being pregnant. He already has a stable of kids with his other wives, but what is the use of another marriage if it doesn't give him more offspring? Furthermore, his young wife, "the graduate", has been creating unease and tension between his other wives. It is really beyond him to understand what the reason could be, given that he is sharing his favours equally among the women. Something has to be done about his "barren" wife and all else will sort itself out after that. Or does it?

Nigerian author Lola Shoneyin was a well-known poet and short story writer by the time her debut novel, The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives, was published in 2009. It immediately won several awards and was also long listed for the 2011 Orange Prize. As the title and my short introduction suggests, the novel takes an intimate look at a life in a polygamous family in modern Nigeria. Drawing on her own in-depth knowledge of the issues, Shoneyin writes with great confidence making this novel a very engaging and authentic read. She harmoniously combines humour and irony with empathy and sensitivity in her vivid depiction of the central characters and the circumstances they find themselves in. The reader is taken inside the complicated day-to-day of such living arrangements and, quite naturally, we also gain insights into the very difficult underlying societal issues of traditional gender relations and economic inequalities.

Bolanle, the young educated fourth wife is the central figure of this fast moving and highly absorbing tale: her introduction into the household sets off a series of events and revelations that have repercussions nobody could have anticipated. What is predictable is that her arrival does not go down well with the three established wives and mothers of Baba Segi's children. Iya Segi, the "mother of the household" has had until now a very good handle on everything and managed the second wife, Iya Tope, and the third, Iya Femi pretty well (each named after her first-born child). Now with the intruder among them jealousy, insecurities, favouritism and disruption of their established group dynamics take over the daily life. One expresses what the three feel: These educated types have thin skins; they are like pigeons. If we poke her with a stick, she will fly away and leave our home in peace. On her side, Bolanle does not really understand the inner workings of the household and adds to the difficulties.

Rather than telling the story from one - external – perspective, Shoneyin gives each protagonist a distinct voice to tell her/his own backstory and in other chapters reveal their respective views on the unfolding dramatic events in the household. As readers we can appreciate their very different upbringing and circumstances that led them to marry into Baba Segi's household. We can even develop some empathy with Baba Segi himself, a man whose life has not been easy and has bound him deeply to the traditions of his social environment. All in all a very satisfying read: lively, personal and also educational in giving the reader a glimpse into the challenges faced by societies developing from tradition to modern, from rural to urban life.
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Dec 26, 2011 Titilayo rated it 5 of 5 stars

reading this book was like listening to my father tells anecdotes about growing up in elemosho compound. this novel (as well as my dad’s stories) has that "we walked barefoot up a hill six miles in snow every day to get to school after feeding the cows, drawing water from the well, and chopping a ton of wood" tone; but, it is decidedly nigerian. the story was elegant. the purpose driven lives, greed, kinship, jealousy, boldness, malice, naiveté, fear, hypocrisy, and religiosity magnify the symbi...more

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May 05, 2011 Laura rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-mt-bookpile, old-reads

The four wives' tales intertwine with that of Baba Segi, a Nigerian with four wives. The problem is that the fourth wife, Bolanle, has not conceived a child in two years of marriage, thus setting in motion the unraveling of the lives of everyone in the house. The way in which this family lives will feel different, but having "Big Love" and "Sister Wives" on tv as well as a flood of Mormon polygamist books means that this isn't completely foreign.

Jumping from character to character, we learn the...more

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Sep 25, 2011 Anne rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: indian-fiction

Ok but there are some problems if you aren't into "eastern" literature. A very tenuous sense of place (absolutely no real sense of Nigeria - could have happened in Pakistan!) and appears to be written reflecting "western" sensibilities and context. Did nothing to positively and evocatively demonstrate values within an "eastern" context (which I have absolutely loved in other post colonial lit. Made me visit India twice). Bit sensationalist underpinned by a didactic message. I like eastern lit so...more

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May 29, 2010 NancyL Luckey rated it 5 of 5 stars

Although I can't imagine living in a polygamist situation, the lives of these women were completely believable. Since it was set in "modern-day" Nigeria, I was expecting it to compare to Alexander McCall Smith's series set in Botswana. Absolutely nothing like it except for the talent of the author.
Though you begin knowing Baba Segi and his wives as a whole family, each one has a complicated life leading up to this strange living situation. I could not imagine why an educated modern woman would...more

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Oct 05, 2012 Keith rated it 4 of 5 stars

I honestly didn't know what to expect when my book club picked this novel but The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives was really good. Lola Shoneyin used a great writing style to tell a story with characters who were both simple and complex at the same time.

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May 08, 2014 Sam rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Bolanle is the fourth wife of Baba Segi, and she is childless. Already an outsider in the family home as the only wife to hold a university degree, her inability to conceive gives the other wives ammunition against her. First wife Iya Segi sees Bolanle as a threat to her dominance, third wife Iya Femi doesn't like being upstaged by a newcomer, and second wife Iya Tope is beaten down and unable to speak up on Bolanle's behalf. Seen as snobbish and different, Bolanle is isolated and unwelcome. Fin...more Bolanle is the fourth wife of Baba Segi, and she is childless. Already an outsider in the family home as the only wife to hold a university degree, her inability to conceive gives the other wives ammunition against her. First wife Iya Segi sees Bolanle as a threat to her dominance, third wife Iya Femi doesn't like being upstaged by a newcomer, and second wife Iya Tope is beaten down and unable to speak up on Bolanle's behalf. Seen as snobbish and different, Bolanle is isolated and unwelcome. Finally, Baba Segi decides to take Bolanle to the hospital, where the medical investigations into Bolanle's fertility have some unexpected results, exposing the secrets of all the wives.

I've seen The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives described elsewhere as a tragicomedy, and that label is just perfect for it. Shoneyin deals with some pretty weighty issues like the role of women in Nigerian society, the views of different classes on polygamy and domestic abuse, but it's always done with a light touch and a bit of black humour. Baba Segi wants to keep his wives hidden away, announces that Bolanle's infertility shames him and doesn't hesitate to assault her, but he's also a comically pathetic figure, bought down by the women in his life. Shoneyin's talent for finding the humour and pathos in tragic situations means that the book never feels too depressing or preachy.

As I read The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives, I was most interested in the examination of the role of women in Nigeria. There's references to domestic violence being seen as a waste of police time, a woman discussing her rape is assumed to be a liar and women are frowned upon for wearing trousers. Through the wives' stories and the power they had seized for themselves over the course of their marriage, Shoneyin's novel is quietly feminist, and we get to see glimpses of a newer Nigeria, in which women are more valued. Of course, whilst I was reading this novel, the news was full of the story about the kidnapping of 200 Nigerian schoolgirls and the intent to sell them into slavery, so it's clear that women still have a long way to go.

I really would recommend The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives. It examines some interesting issues through a story that is quick, engaging and a lot of fun to read. If I had the time, I could have read it all in one sitting. It shines a light on a polygamous marriage in Africa in a non-judgemental way and it's a book that hasn't really left my thoughts since I finished reading it.(less)

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Jul 13, 2011 Michelle added it

The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives is a fascinating glimpse into a different culture as well as an introduction to four very unique wives who are all trying to survive in a world where man is king. Baba Segi is consumed by the idea of having more children, while each of his wives is trying to protect her own position in the hierarchy of the household. The opposing desires and priorities lead to certain expected, and some surprising, clashes among its members. Ms. Shoneyin deftly manages the d...more

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Jul 24, 2014 Orinoco Womble (tidy bag and all) rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: don-t-bother, abandoned, heavy-as-lead, life-s-too-short, run-save-yourselves

I don't think I'll finish this one. If you like soap operas, maybe you'll enjoy it. I don't, in any language--and this book reminds me strongly of the Spanish-language "telenovelas" and the bits of African-made soaps I've seen on Africa Channel. The characters are stereotypes; the bumbling husband is manipulated by all his wives and can't think beyond sex, food, and reproducing children who kneel to him every day when he gets home. Anything that upsets him causes him to vomit or dirty his pants...more I don't think I'll finish this one. If you like soap operas, maybe you'll enjoy it. I don't, in any language--and this book reminds me strongly of the Spanish-language "telenovelas" and the bits of African-made soaps I've seen on Africa Channel. The characters are stereotypes; the bumbling husband is manipulated by all his wives and can't think beyond sex, food, and reproducing children who kneel to him every day when he gets home. Anything that upsets him causes him to vomit or dirty his pants like the overgrown baby he is. The "head wife" lives for money, power and prestige within the family compound; not even her sapphic attraction for the tomato seller made her any more real to this reader. (I am no more attracted by lesbianism than I am by polygamous marriages, but even this wearisome attempt at “modernity” didn’t break the soap-opera atmosphere.) The scheming second-string wife will stop at nothing to get her way—and of course she is the stereotyped “fake Christian hypocrite” (eyeroll). Wife Number 3 is a lazy dreamer who just wants not to have to plant cassava on her father's farm anymore, and the newly-arrived fourth wife has big plans to set everyone in the household straight with her "superior university graduate" attitudes. None of the characters were at all engaging, but that's not surprising when dealing with cardboard stereotypes.

Halfway through the book, if you don't already know it, you probably won’t realize the book is set in Nigeria. There are several non-English words which apparently refer to foods and articles of clothing which are not translated or explained for English-speaking readers with no knowledge of African languages; even a glossary or the occasional footnote would have helped. I don’t know if the author’s intention was to make it seem like “anywhere in Africa” or if she really expected only to be read by those that share her particular background.

The text itself is poorly written, jumping from one character, storyline, narrative voice and time frame to another with little to no transition. Like many other reviewers, I lost track of who was telling the story, from what point in time or place. The story would have been much more enjoyable with a bit of editorial guidance.
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Nov 26, 2009 Erin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Lola Shoneyin writes with a deft but tender hand. You will find no perfect characters in The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives, no heroes swoop in to solve the problems these men and women are (mostly) silently plagued with, only honest souls who, while living in a world nothing like my own, I felt a deep connection to.
I predict good things for Lola Shoneyin and wish her the best of luck with this emotionally engaging book.

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Mar 13, 2013 Njenva Heimi rated it 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed reading this book. I loved how the novel was written from different perspectives - really funny and down to earth. The book was very descriptive and I have images in my head of all the main characters.

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Jan 26, 2013 Shiro rated it 5 of 5 stars

I gave the book an extra star because the Author tweeted me. Lame, i know. But it was a great read

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May 16, 2014 Sheri rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: male-female-power-sex-attractivenes, poverty-class-issues

This book was just fun. Polygamy is not really my thing, but Shoneyin does a great job representing the ways in which the subservient women hold and display power both among themselves and to their husband. For the most part it was funny, but ultimately things got serious: death, rape and betrayal. In the end it was not really a positive picture for the women.

I liked the switch in point of view. The first few chapters are third person and give the reader an overall sense of the family. Then Shon...more

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Aug 17, 2011 Sashana rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: borrowed-from-a-friend, half-stars

Clarification: 3.5 stars

This book was beautifully written, the scenes were vivid and the writing was poetic without being flowery. However, I decided to give this book 3.5 stars because I had to drag through the first 50 pages. After that I did not put it down until the very end (seriously, I was reading until 4AM this morning)! I felt like I was in the middle of a Nigerian soap opera, and boy did I love it. I sympathized with Bolanle and cooed endearing statements to her as if she were my very...more Clarification: 3.5 stars

This book was beautifully written, the scenes were vivid and the writing was poetic without being flowery. However, I decided to give this book 3.5 stars because I had to drag through the first 50 pages. After that I did not put it down until the very end (seriously, I was reading until 4AM this morning)! I felt like I was in the middle of a Nigerian soap opera, and boy did I love it. I sympathized with Bolanle and cooed endearing statements to her as if she were my very best friend. I screamed obscene words (which shall not be repeated) at Iya Femi and Iya Segi. I gasped in astonishment as each secret was revealed. It’s a miracle that my family didn’t send me to the crazy house while I was reading it.

I’m really surprised by how much I enjoyed this book because it’s a far cry from what I’d usually read. I pride myself on being a very curious person so I did know a little about polygamy before reading this book (thanks to many Lifetime movies and Sisterwives on TLC). I do think this book was more realistic than anything that I’ve ever seen though; the jealously between the wives, the hierarchy of each woman, and the lengths they go to get their husband’s attention.

It would be so easy to hate these characters but Lola Shoneyin did a nice job of breaking down and building up each woman so that we could understand why they acted the way they did. In this she reminded me of Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye.

Answers to Discussion Questions (which are located at the end of the book)

1. It is normal practice in Nigeria for wives to be known as 'Iya' followed by the name of their first child. 'Iya' in this context means 'mother of'. What does this say about the identity of women in a traditional Nigerian setting and how do you think this might impact on women who are unable to produce children?
I found a part in this book which summarizes a woman’s identity in Nigeria perfectly. “It is every woman’s life purpose to bear children. Do you want to become a ghost in the world of the living?”Basically to have status in their society you have to have children. To be a childless woman in Nigeria is the equivalent of being useless or invisible. You are at the bottom of a hierarchy.

2. From the outset, the wives decide not to let Bolanle in on their secret, largely because her educational background makes them feel inferior. This turned out to be a disastrous decision on the wives' part. From your assessment of Bolanale's character, how do you think she would have reacted if she had been told?
Bolanale seems like a lady who knows how to roll with the punches. I have no doubt that she would have kept the other wives' secrets. I think if she was let in on the secret she would have let Baba Segi continue to think that she was barren.

3. Baba Segi insists on everyone in his household being present during 'family time'. Is this a normal occurrence in Western homes? Why do you think Baba Segi introduced this as part of the daily routine?
I think that family is very important to Baba Segi as well as to the Nigerian culture. However I think Baba Segi’s version of family time should be renamed “Baba Time.” It seemed like family time was mostly about him. Everything down to the placement of the armchairs, the serving of his dinner (him eating like a pig and then feeding the children his leftovers), to his wives fawning over him was just so self centered. Family time in Western culture is more inclusive (in my opinion). Everyone shares a little detail of their day or life if they are willing to. It doesn’t just center around one person.

4. The circumstances that lead the different women to become Baba Segi's wives are very different. How much say did they have in the matter and what alternatives do you think were open to them? Did any of the wives make the right decision? What would you have done if you were in their situations?
It’s not that I think they made a wrong decision in marrying Baba Segi, they made wrong decisions on how to make the marriage and the sister wife relationship function. For the most part 3 out of 4 wives had no say in the matter. Iya Tope and Iya Segi had to obey their parents’ wishes and Iya Femi wanted to escape Grandma’s wrath. They didn’t have many alternatives because they were poor, uneducated women. The only person who had a say in choosing Baba Segi as a husband was Bolanale. She was an educated woman so she had options (I do understand that she was down in the dumps though). If I were in their position I don’t know what I would have done.

5. The novel explores the issue of gender and how society defines a woman's role from childhood. To what extent does Iya Segi defy these set roles? And in what ways does she wield power over her family. Why do you think, after making more money that she could imagine, Iya Segi remained married to Baba Segi?
I think Iya Segi defied the traditional roll of a Nigerian woman because of her sexuality, but mostly because she was very business savvy. She really knew how to make her money work for her. If this woman were real and living in America she would have made Oprah look broke. I think she was the real man in the family-that is, the head of household. She decided how much each wife would get, and consequently each child. She had power over each wife. She knew just how to rile them up and how to put them in their place whenever they got out of line. Iya Segi didn’t leave Baba Segi because I don’t think it’s a common occurrence in Nigeria for women to be independent enough to own a house and a business. In another except it says“I have told you before that you cannot buy land and build your own house. The village men will say you are ridiculing them, doing that they can’t.”

6. In the chapter, 'Rat Head', Baba Segi attempts to strangle Bolanle. This is out of character for a man who, in the beginning of the novel, said 'we must not manhandle our women'. What was it about this particular situation that led him to behave so irrationally? What does this tell you about the role of superstition and the fear of the supernatural in Nigerian society?
I think many things led to Baba Segi acting “irrationally” in this chapter- besides the rat. It was a combination of the voodoo, Bolanle being out all day and lying about her whereabouts (he probably thought she was cheating), the lack of pregnancy, and the wives chaotic accusations. I think he reached his breaking point that day. Obviously people in Nigeria put a lot of weight into superstition; many of them use prophets and medicine men as doctors so its only natural that the people who they perceive to have these healing powers would have powers that could damage you.

7. Although many people find Iya Tope to be passive, we learn from 'Iya Tope' that it is she in fact who goes through the most liberating internal changes. Do you agree? How important would you say sexual pleasure is for the different wives?
Do I think she went through a liberating change because she found out she enjoyed sex through cheating on her husband? Call me naïve, but no. I don’t think she underwent a liberating internal change at all. It was surprising to learn that she had an affair because she’s so mousy. The scene where she finally stood up to Iya Femi and Iya Segi was liberating. I wish she could have had more of those moments. I wish she could have been more fearless.

8. Iya Femi comes across as bitter and vengeful, even after her religious encounter. Would you say some of her actions are justified? To what extent did the death of her parents change her destiny?
I don’t make a habit of cursing on Goodreads but I just say that this bitch is CRAZY!!! If her parents were alive then she would have been a less vindictive person. She would have had a completely different life. Gosh, if holding grudges were an Olympic even then she would won all the gold medals.

9. In the beginning of the novel, it is clear that Bolanle did not love Baba Segi. Do you think her feelings towards him changed through the course of the novel? If the other wives had been more accommodating, do you think Bolanle would have endured the marriage? Would your answer be different if she had been able to 'give' Baba Segi a child?
I think Bolanle’s affection for Baba Segi (or lack thereof) had many stages. I do think there was a point in the marriage when she genuinely did like him. She said she would go through so much trouble prepping for their nights together. I don’t think she felt affection for him at the end of the story though. I think Bolanle would have endured the marriage if the wives were more receptive even if she wasn’t able to have a child with Baba Segi.

10. Baba Segi loved his children dearly. He doted on every one of them, sent them to good schools and ensured that they lived comfortably lives. After discovering the 'secret' however, do you think his feelings towards his children changed? His reputation, ego or the physical presence of children in his household are all very important to Baba Segi but which is most important?
I think for a while his attitude did change towards them. After the death of Segi and his conversation Akin I think he found a way to look past it. That’s not to say that I think he feels the same about them before he found out but I think he still loves them because he is their father, just not biologically.

11. Some reviewers have stated that everyone 'won' in the end. Do you agree with this? Who, in your opinion, are the true victors?
I think the true victors in the end were the children (except for Segi) and Bolanle. I was really worried that Baba Segi would take Teacher’s advice and turn the children out. I’m glad the children are clueless about their fathers because they really seem to love each other. I’m glad that Bolanle found herself and decided to leave. Who would want to live with all that deceit? I think the other wives got off too easily, especially Iya Femi and Segi. I wish Baba Segi could have known about the lengths they went to to destroy Bolanle.(less)

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Jul 30, 2012 Beth rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 6-books-6-countries-6-continents, around-the-world-group, great-african-reads-group

When Baba Segi awoke with a bellyache for the sixth day in a row, he knew it was time to do something drastic about his fourth wife's childlessness. He was sure the pain wasn't caused by hunger or trapped gas; it was from the buildup of months and months of worry.

The narration in The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives: A Novel rotates among the adult family members in a polygamous Nigerian family, revealing their different responses as the book's central dilemma plays out. Baba Segi's fourth wif...more

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Oct 26, 2010 Shamekia rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: well-written

I finally finished this today and WOW! I loved every page of this novel. My roommate and I were "racing" each other through it and I won, but can't wait for her to finish so we can have our own mini book club at home.

There are so many great things about this book, especially the language. It's poetic, proverbial, and beautiful. And not in that flowery, overtly mushy-gushy way. More so in an "akinkral" (I just made that word up) kind of way.

The most over-arching theme of course is the plight of...more

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Feb 09, 2011 Lucia rated it 3 of 5 stars

Four women, one husband and a devastating secret. I picked the secret about halfway through the novel, but I wasn't able to guess the ending. It's devastating depending on how you look at it. I myself burst out laughing when I realised. Set in Nigeria, Shoneyin depicts the violent realities and injustices (frequently passing unnoticed) with clarity and crude humor. At the same time, she succeeds in describing the beauty of the country and people's thoughts and feelings. Above all, the author con...more Four women, one husband and a devastating secret. I picked the secret about halfway through the novel, but I wasn't able to guess the ending. It's devastating depending on how you look at it. I myself burst out laughing when I realised. Set in Nigeria, Shoneyin depicts the violent realities and injustices (frequently passing unnoticed) with clarity and crude humor. At the same time, she succeeds in describing the beauty of the country and people's thoughts and feelings. Above all, the author confronts the sexism evident in the everyday lives of the women, with heartbreaking blatancy. Shoneyin creates strong ironies through the characters as often I simultaneously felt deep pity and hatred for them. She evokes a cleaver satire in this, as the cause of both aspects can and should be changed.

This was an interesting read. At times I found the plot bland and predictable, yet I was still intrigued by several other elements. The characters of Baba Segi's wives were perfectly formed to construct the dynamic environment of their household and to emphasize several cruelties. Baba Segi himself was quite ridiculous. Again, the author used this to make her point. My idea of one of the central themes of the text was the unfairness of the lifestyle in the society, and how this affected each of the characters. This then leads to the themes of how they dealt with this and the result of vengeance and greed. Shoneyin displays this well and with both humor and sensitivity, even if at times the characters are cliched.

Bolanle is the character of Baba Segi's fourth and youngest wife. Through her I believe that the author channels a second idea. The woman is kind and open, yet she has withdrawn from an affectionate mother, a family who tried its best for her, and the opportunity for a career and a better quality of life in general. Through the author's development of the plot and the wickedness of the other three wifes, Shoneyin describes Bolanle's personal struggles. She craftily weaves these into a triumphant ending.

For me, this was not an exceptional book. However, it was enjoyable and the author's wit and style make it memorable.(less)

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Jun 07, 2010 Marti rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: bookbrowse, pop-fiction, first-reads, zzz-books-2010, not-yet-published, world-fiction, can-t-let-go, arc, goodreads

This book was a first reads from Book Browse. It is by a Nigerian author about a family in Nigeria. A man, Baba Segi has four wives. Each wife is name Iya and then the name of their oldest child, Iya Segi, Iya Tope, Iya Femi and his newest wife Bolanle. She is not named for a child as she has not had a child yet. The story is about the family and its struggles. Each wife have a secret that is part of the story. The secrets come out in various chapters as you read the book. Each secret is hidden...more

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Dec 13, 2011 Lucinda rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary-fiction

While I was skeptical about the portrayal of the lives of the characters at first, Shoneyin won me over about half way through the book. What I originally interpreted as very one dimensional characters were slowly developed into real people, in part through her smart use of different voices for each chapter. I wouldn't call myself completely convinced though... there is still a nagging sense of simplicity in her story-telling that I generally don't favour, but I suppose that might just be a matt...more

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Aug 20, 2010 Louise rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: literature-fiction

Baba Segi is a chubby, worthless but successful middle-aged man. His appetite for food, woman and sex are insatiable and is head of a house full of four wives: Iya Segi, Iya Tope, Iya Femi and Bolanle. Each wife has her own quirky personality: Iya Segi was Baba’s first wife who wields her power over the other wives, was malicious and would stop at nothing to preserve her position as the favoured wife and ruler of Baba Segi’s home; Iya Tope was Baba’s second wife who was bashful and timid. She wa...more

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Sep 11, 2011 Lisarenee rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Notes: Not a book for kids. Sex is openly discussed although not in great detail. Language used which some may find offensive.

Bolanle has decided to become the fourth wife of Baba Segi, a wealthy Nigerian business owner. Some may think she married him for his money, but that's not it. It is hinted that something happened to Bolanle to change her whole perspective and personality at the beginning of the book. As the story unfolds, her secret will be revealed. Hers, however, is not the only secret...more Notes: Not a book for kids. Sex is openly discussed although not in great detail. Language used which some may find offensive.

Bolanle has decided to become the fourth wife of Baba Segi, a wealthy Nigerian business owner. Some may think she married him for his money, but that's not it. It is hinted that something happened to Bolanle to change her whole perspective and personality at the beginning of the book. As the story unfolds, her secret will be revealed. Hers, however, is not the only secret that is being kept. The other wives have a secret of their own, and by not revealing it to Bolanle, it will be uncovered, and it will change Baba Segi's household forever.

This is truly a book about Bolanle and her journey to find peace with herself and the world. I like how the book came full circle beginning and ending with her story. She did not expect to be welcomed with open arms by the other wives, but she didn't expect to be hated either. This book takes a close look into the taboo topic of polygamy, and looks at some of the problems associated with it. It delves into those basic human emotions of jealousy and hate. The book takes a look at the lives of each of the three wives from their own perspective, and reveals how each of their paths led them to their current place in Baba Segi's household. We get a look at some of the injustices that are suffered from a society where women aren't always held in high regard. As secrets are revealed and tragedy strikes Bolanle grows and deals with what happened to her so many years ago. I gave this one 3 out of 5 roses.

I should mention I got this book from the wonderful publisher, William Morrow. They provided me and five members of my Goodreads Group, Nothing but Reading Challenges, copies via a giveaway. It is one of our August Books of the Month. If you'd like to join us in our discussion of the book we'll probably be starting later this week. Thank you William Morrow. Here is a link to the group discussion: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/6...
I should also apologize because I thought I'd posted this review last month, but while looking through my booklist today I realized it wasn't among my reviews. I'm not sure what happened, but I'll be double checking to make sure all my reviews get posted. (less)

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2013 Clutch Readi...: (June 2013 Fiction Read) The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives--Lola Shoneyin	2	32	Jun 20, 2013 09:24PM
Great African Reads: July \| "The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives"	30	49	Jan 08, 2013 07:51AM
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