The Secret Lives of the Four Wives by Lola Shoneyin is a novel that takes you into the lives of a family in Nigeria living a polygamist lifestyle. I really enjoy a novel that takes me to a different place and way of life and The Secret Lives of the Four Wives most definitely fit the bill. This is a novel full of secrets, lies, and jealousies and how all three of these can work to destroy a life so carefully constructed.
This novel takes place in Nigeria and focuses on Baba Segi’s four wives. His first wife Iya Segi is a very domineering and frankly, quite scary sounding woman. Being the first wife she pretty much rules the way things go for the other wives as well and will do anything to make sure she stays the top wife. Then there is Iya Tope who I guess could be best described as the timid, quiet one. She is scared of everything and especially terrified of Iya Segi. The third wife is Iya Femi who is the princess of them I would say. She loves to dress nice and have her makeup done and she’s also not one to give up her position of the latest and newest wife.
Into all this comes Bolanle, a woman anxious to leave her past behind and move on in the world. Baba Segi can offer her all she needs – clothes, money and for the most part the freedom to do as she wants. Different from the other wives in that she’s educated; she is not received well in the home. As well, Bolanle is the one wife that Baba Segi chose himself – the others were given to him in payment or they gave themselves as Iya Femi had. The other wives, especially Iya Segi and Iya Femi are enraged and determined to get rid of this fourth and newest wife in their home.
Time passes and Baba Segi becomes impatient with Bolanle because she has still not given him any children. Baba Segi is the type of man who puts a lot of importance on the children he is given and therefore those wives are looked upon in a more favorable light. He’s angry that the one woman he picked for himself and that has been his favorite can’t seem to give him a child. He is troubled enough to take Bolanle to a hospital to find out what is wrong with her.
The wives of course are overjoyed that Bolanle isn’t the apple of Baba Segi’s life anymore. They scheme and plot to get rid of her in some pretty horrifying ways. The biggest problem is that all of their efforts end up backfiring on them and the secret that they’ve all been hiding for years is exposed. All this because they couldn’t see themselves letting this new wife into their lives and the worst thing is they could have really learned a lot from her. Instead they let their jealousy and hatred destroy everything.
By far my favorite character was Bolanle. I can’t say I really connected with her because I’m not familiar with life in her country but I liked her. Despite all that she took from the wives she still kept her composure and calmness. Baba Segi horrified me and yet I’ve read about much worse husbands. His women at least had everything they could want but the fact remains they were still under his thumb. The other wives I felt no connection to at all but Iya Segi, the first wife, amazed me with the lengths she would go to in order to keep her house the way she wanted. So, to wrap up I did like the book. I wouldn’t say I necessarily loved it but it kept my attention throughout and the pages passed quickly. It was a good read for me.
I read The Secret Lives of the Four Wives by Lola Shoneyin for her book tour with TLC Book Tours. Be sure to stop by the other tour stops and see what the other reviewers thought of the book. You can purchase your own copy of The Secret Lives of the Four Wives here in the US and here in Canada.
© 2010, Darlene of Peeking Between the Pages. All Rights Reserved. If you’re reading this on a site other than Peeking Between the Pages or Darlene’s Feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
My copy of The Secret Lives of the Four Wives by Lola Shoneyin was received for review from TLC Book Tours and the Publisher.
Interesting review! A book I'd love to read for its cultural value!
Wow, great review. Sounds like a really good book. I love reading about different countries and different ways of life. I will have to put this on my list.
Sounds different. Glad you found it interesting.
I loved your review of this book and I'm adding to my wish list. It sounds very interesting.
I like books that take me to other cultures and places too. This book sounds right up my alley.
Sounds like a book I would like to read and learn from
I liked this book well enough. Like you I wasn't connected to any of the wives. I really did want more about Nigeria though.
I was reading this, meant to comment, then I looked at the news and lost all train of thought.
But nice review :=D
This sounds like an interesting read. Different cultures make for interesting reads. The idea of many wives and them banding together grabs my attention. This sounds like a different look at polygamy.
Sounds like an interesting and riveting read. Plus it allows for armchair travel. Thanks Darlene.
When I read this last year, it was titled The Secret Lives of Babi Segi's Wives…I'm curious as to when and why they changed the title.
I liked this one — it took me to a faraway place that I was glad to visit.
I find it so weird that they changed the title on this one! I read it last year with Aarti for a joint read, and both liked and disliked it. I had a lot of problems with the characters and thier motivations, but thought that the story was a good one. I also figured out the secret pretty early on due to what I felt were some heavy handed clues. A mixed bag of a book for me, but since I love to read about polygamy, it wasn't a waste for me. Great review, Dar!
I can't imagine being in a multiple wife family – I'm pretty sure I'd go crazy very quickly! 🙂
I'm glad you enjoyed this one. Thanks for being on the tour.
I have a copy of this one and now I want to read it even more!! Sounds like my cup of tea!
I think I'd like to read this. It's something different and I'd love to explore it.