Carol’s
Comments
(group member since Nov 03, 2010)
Carol’s
comments
from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.
Showing 81-100 of 113
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Mennonite in a Little Black Dressby Rhoda Janzen**174)
The Secret Lives of the Four Wives by Lola Shoneyin***175)
Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut***176)
Leaping Beauty: And Other Animal Fairy Tales by Gregory Maguire**
I agree Sashana the writing style reminded me a bit of The Bluest Eye too. Normally I would hate all of the characters but the writer makes you see where they are all coming from. Instead of hating them I ended up feeling sorry for them. Sashana wrote: "My Review
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 th..."
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 agree with lisarenee it seems that as a women your status in society is based on weather or not you have children and probably how many children you have. I find this to be very disturbing. It shows that women don't have their own identity their only purpose is to have children.
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?
I'm not sure. I think Bolanale's character changes quite a bit throughout the course of the book. I think that the Bolanale at the beginning of the book may have gone along with what the wives did if they had welcomed her. I don't think there is anyway that the Bolanale at the end of the book would have.
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?
No I don't think this is a normal occurrence in Western homes. Probably the closest we get is family dinner. I think Baba Segi did this for selfish reasons not because he really likes spending time with his family. In his culture wealth is measured by how many wives and children you have. I think he likes surrounding himself with his wealth.
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?
I think all of the wives except perhaps Bolonle didn't have a lot of choices but to marry Baba Segi. I think the reinforces the lack of opportunity for women in society.
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?
She realizes that she does have some power and if she doesn't have to be put down by the other wives. Having the most favor with her husband puts her in a position of power.
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 do think she would have stayed in the marriage if she would have had a child. Finding out the secret and not having a child was the most liberating thing for her. It have her the power to get out of the marriage and start her own life.
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 probably inside his feeling changed but to keep up appearances he will continue to treat his children well. I think his reputation and what others think is the most important thing to him.
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 only one who won was Bolanle because she got to leave that house. Maybe to a lesser extent
Iya Tope comes out a winner but she is still stuck in the marriage.
168)The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick's Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption by Jim Gorant
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Under the Mambo Moon by Julia Durango170)The Search for WondLa by Tony DiTerlizzi
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The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens172)Flood!: A Novel in Pictures by Eric Drooker
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From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris****166)
Monkey: A Trickster Tale from India by Gerald McDermott****167)
Fables: Rose Red by Bill Willingham*****
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Mal and Chad: The Biggest, Bestest Time Ever!byStephen McCranie****148)
Papercutz Slices #1: Harry Potty and the Deathly BoringbyStefan Petrucha***149)
Bootleg: Murder, Moonshine, and the Lawless Years of ProhibitionbyKaren Blumenthal****150)
Astronomy: Out of this World!byBasher****151)
Lunch Lady and the Bake Sale BanditbyJarrett J. Krosoczka****152)
I Love Him to PiecesbyEvonne Tsang****153)
The Sons of Liberty #1byAlexander Lagos***154)
City of SpiesbySusan Kim***155)
Beyond: A Solar System VoyagebyMichael Benson***156)
Pilot & Huxley, Volume 1byDan McGuiness****157)
Astronaut Academy: Zero GravitybyDave Roman***158)
The Unsinkable Walker BeanbyAaron Renier****159)
Super StarsbyDavid Aguilar***160)
A Butterfly Is PatientbyDianna Hutts Aston****161)
Fractured FablesbyJim Valentino***162)
Zita the SpacegirlbyBen Hatke****163)
Lost and FoundbyShaun Tan*****164)
Founding GardenersbyAndrea Wulf****
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Page by PaigebyLaura Lee Gulledge****145)
The MagiciansbyLev Grossman**146)
The Wave: In Pursuit of the Rogues, Freaks, and Giants of the OceanbySusan Casey***
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by Avis Harley, Deborah Noyes(Photographer)
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by Ruth Thomson
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by Amy Gibson
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by Jill Rubalcaba, Eric H. Cline, Sarah S. Brannen (Illustrator)
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by Alan Bradley
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by Phil Bildner, S. Schindler (Illustrator)
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by Christine Harris
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Yippee! Level one complete moving on to level two:)1)
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England's Hideaways: Discovering Enchanting Rooms, Stately Manor Houses, and Country Cottages
It's really beautiful. Like a mini-vacation in a book.
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Congratulations. That was fast!Melanie wrote: "100/100 -- DONE!!!
On to the next level:-D¨
1. Wicked Intentions - Elizabeth Hoyt 01/01 - 4.5*
2. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - JK Rowling 01/02 - 5*
3. Woman on the Run - Lis..."
niquae wrote: "I'm reading The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan. What I like the best is how the author described the difference between Zeus and Jupiter. It reminded me of what little I'd learned of Roman culture years..."I agree I love these books. I've learned so much about Greek and Roman mythology from them. I wish these books were around when I took mythology in college.
So it's pretty safe to say that my New Year's resolution to not buy anymore books until I read the one's I already have has already failed and it's not even February yet. Next year I'll try something a little more realistic like trying out for the Olympics.
Jan 10, 2011 11:43AM
Favorite books of 2010:Fiction:
Mystery&Thriller:
Fantasy:
Paranormal Fantasy:
Science Fiction:
Romance:
Historical Ficton:
Graphic Novels & Comics:
Poetry:
Nonfiction:
History and Biography:
Memoir and Autobiography:
Humor:
Young Adult Fiction:
Young Adult Fantasy:
Middle Grade & Children's Books:
Picture Books:
Debut Author:
Goodreads Author:
Favorite Herione:
Favorite Hero
Cover Art
