Such an entertaining read. I loved it so much. The women, the drama, the different voices. ( )

#ReadAroundTheWorld. #Nigeria

This is the debut novel by Nigerian poet Lola Shoneyin. It takes a look at the life of a polygamous family in contemporary Nigeria with humour, wit, subtlety and insight. It was longlisted for the Orange Prize for Fiction and also features on the list 50 Books By African Women That Everyone Should Read.

When university graduate Bolanle enters the family as Baba Segi’s fourth wife it turns everything on its head. Despite her prestige as an educated woman, Iya Segi, Iya Tope and Iya Femi, the first three wives, are unhappy about the addition of a new wife to the home, and having to share their husband’s bed more sparsely.

Baba Segi is the domineering patriarch of the home, boorish and narrow-minded, but at the same time a warm-hearted family man. He is also prey to his wives’ machinations and manipulations. Bolanle’s failure to conceive, after enduring two years of Baba Segi’s poundings, reduces her status in the home even further. Iya Segi and Iya Femi’s efforts to evict her ramp up, leading to a series of unpredictable events.

This story explores the status of women in Nigeria, the challenges they face and also their strength and resilience. The sappy, romantic side of me was disappointed that the women failed to bond, and to conquer all with the power of female friendship. I guess their attempts to drag each other down, and pass on the hurts and wounds they themselves had experienced is more realistic.

Be aware that all levels of violence toward women are explored in this story. If you can manage that it is a well-written and insightful story. I for one would like to read another from this author. ( )

This debut novel is WILD. It’s about polygamy in modern-day Nigeria, but the secrets these women keep! This is a definite page turner. Each of the characters has an intriguing background and while I understand how they became who they are, I am still floored by the twist in the plot! The hospital scenes are hilarious! But this remains an adult book with serious themes such as rape, infertility, abuse, and survival. ( )

Para un polígamo como Baba Segi, la acumulación de mujeres e hijos son el símbolo de la prosperidad, del éxito y de su virilidad. Hace dos años que se ha casado con Bolanle, inteligente, instruida y veinte años más joven que él. Su llegada al hogar despierta el odio de las otras tres esposas. Bolanle comprende enseguida que para hacerse respetar está obligada a ser madre. Pero pasan los meses y no se queda embarazada. Esta situación amenaza con dar un giro a la estabilidad familiar, pues, sin saberlo, desvelará un secreto que las demás mujeres quieren ocultar a toda costa.
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Con audacia y humor, Lola Shoneyin aborda la cuestión de la poligamia sin eludir ninguno de sus aspectos psicológicos, económicos y sexuales. Y denuncia la hipocresía de la sociedad nigeriana contemporánea, que exalta la maternidad y niega toda autonomía a las mujeres. Shoneyin escribe una novela irónica e irreverente que es también un canto a la emancipación femenina.

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