Oh dear me. It has been a while, uh? I thought long and hard about how to describe the over-a-year silence. I'll just sum it up as life, laziness and wanderlust in no particular order. Nothing you aren't familiar with, I'm sure. Haha. The good news is that I am back (again) and I am excited to continue doing something I love! Looking forward to reading and sharing more reviews this summer! Here goes the first of this new bust…:)
Lola Shoneyin’s The Secret lives of Baba Segi’s Wives tells the story of Baba Segi and his four wives-- Iya Segi, Iya Femi, Iya Tope and Bolanle. Baba Segi is a wealthy business man whose manhood is defined by his many wives and children. So when his most recent conquest, his beautiful and educated Bolanle, can’t conceive after two years of marriage, he is devastated. Something must be wrong with her womb-- after all, his three other wives have had no trouble conceiving. Determined to solve this problem, they consult a doctor. Little did they know that their quest to unravel one mystery would uncover many secrets and as Bolanle aptly put it "upturn the tranquility of their home."
It really is true what they say, those who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
Shoneyin is a talented writer weaving in complex issues of family, love, polygamy and psychological and emotional distress of infertility in an African community. She goes to unexpected places with her complex and compelling characters while carrying the reader along. I really enjoyed her writing, especially her offbeat sense of humour and will be checking out her other works for sure!
This was one of the many books I picked up from Terra Kulture during my visit to Nigeria (a must visit if you are ever in Lagos, Nigeria).
Lucky for you, it is now available on Amazon. Click here
Rating: 4 bows
