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Book Jacket

The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives:
A Novel
by Lola Shoneyin

Publisher: William Morrow
Publication date: 06/29/2010.
Novels, 256 pp.

Number of reader reviews: 24
Readers' Consensus: 4.0
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First Impressions: Page 4 of 4
Rated 3 of 5 of 5 by Barbara B. (Alta Loma, CA)

Lies & Deception--Not Good Bedfellows
As I was initially introduced to the first three wives of Baba Segi, I did not really like them or care about them. Once they each told their story and how they became a wife of Baba Segi, I found some compassion for them, especially Iya Tope, who showed kindness to Bolanle.

The attitude toward Bolanle by the wives was not well developed enough for me and the "secrets" were too predictable.

I think book clubs would have much to discuss with this book with the different emotional themes.

Rated 3 of 5 of 5 by Pamela B. (Monona, WI, WI)

The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives
The story surrounds the impact the addition of a fourth wife, Bolanle, has on Baba Segi's household. Bolanle is university educated, something the other wives are not. Not all is as it seems as jealousy and a family secret threaten them all. The book was a little difficult to read, as the chapters are written in first person from the view of each of the wives, and it is not always easy to determine which wife is "speaking".

Rated 3 of 5 of 5 by Carol J. (Isle, MN)

Lives and Secrets
Lola Shoneyin's The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives provided a realistic peek into the lives of 4 Nigerian women and the husband they share. I enjoyed getting to know the 4 women and their stories; how they each ended up married to Baba Segi and why. I also felt I received a small insight into the everyday Nigerian's life. Although, I found the use of local terms and language a little difficult to follow. I felt myself loosing interest in the middle of the book. But I was glad that I finished the book in order to discern the secrets of each woman.

Overall, I would recommend the book. It did make me want to read some more books about Nigeria and the lives of the people there.

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