What do readers think of The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives by Lola Shoneyin? Write your own review.

As I read this novel and got to know each unique character I was able to empathize with each of them and their life situations that had brought them to their present state. A wonderful book!

As another reviewer stated - this book has everything. A bit confusing to read, but totally worth the effort; it was hard to put down. The amount of detail of so many characters' lives packed into this book is astounding. A thoroughly satisfying read and will be great book club material. Check out the author's website: she is quite a fascinating character in her own right.

Once I started reading, I had to finish this book. The story of Baba Segi and his four wives really held my interest to the very end. The plot has all you can expect; lies, love, intrigue, happiness and great sadness all woven into a family's life.

A very good book.

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 want to become a part of this patriarchal "kingdom" until I read of her background. Likewise, each wife has a unique story of her own before becoming what she is.
The author is a poet and this is her first novel. I certainly hope she writes more. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one.

I loved this book. Beautifully written - I felt like I was in the house with all of these fiercely protective women and their children. Love, loss, independence, servitude - its all here in a wonderfully written, "couldn't put it down" book.

I enjoyed this book and found it an interesting story. On a scale of 1-10 (the best), I would give this book an 8. The dispassionate and sometimes raw depictions of sexual encounters reduced it from a 9. This story was told by 4 women, each in the first person. This made it a nuanced narrative as we were able to see the situation from 4 different view points. This was not a story where a Western female reader could "relate" to the choices these women made. Rather, this was a glimpse into a culture where economic forces and cultural norms dictated the range of choices available. It was informative to see how women in another culture made their choices and solved their problems. In the end, one could see how adaptive these choices were.

Baba Segi, a Nigerian businessman, has just added a fourth wife to his family. The new addition awakens jealousies and conflicts among Baba Segi’s other wives. The story is mostly told via the alternating perspectives of each of the four wives. Some might find this structure confusing, but I think the author does a nice job juggling complex issues with multiple voices in a clear and understandable way. This fast-paced look at a polygamous household is entertaining and thought-provoking.

The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives by Lola Shoneyin chronicles the lives of five people. The patriarch, Baba Segi, who is an abusive male chauvinist; Iya Segi, who worships money; Iya Femi, who desires revenge; Iya Tope, who is verging on lunacy; and Bolanle, whose university education puts her at odds with the others of this polygamous family. The story is a good look at current Nigerian life where women have no value except for child bearing, preferably a male heir. This tale is complicated with jealousy, diabolical plots, murder and the secrets which motivates each character. When Bolanle does not conceive the truth comes out and the family unravels.

I enjoyed reading this book on African life but sometimes had difficulty determining which character was narrating the story.