Book review: The secret lives of Baba Segi's wives

By Lola Shoneyin

Book review: The secret life of Baba Segi's wives

Welcome back for another book review, and thank you all for reading. It means a lot to me (no, really).

Alright, let's dive into it!

As the title implies, Baba Segi is the head of a household. He is a businessman who sells construction material by day and often holds court with "Teacher" (his friend who was never named).

His devoted right-hand man is Taju, his driver.

If I ever had a secret to keep into the afterlife, the only person I'd risk telling is Taju.

By the end of this book, I was convinced he could hide a body.

The storyline explores the family dynamic in a polygamous household, placing Bolanle (the fourth wife), at the center of chaos. We find out that she has a complicated family life and sought marriage as an escape. She's convinced she's infertile. Unfortunately, the other wives shame her for it.

The more I read, the more I wondered what kind of wealth he (Baba Segi) was swimming in, to juggle four wives in the same household... And keep all the kids fed AND in school. The answer is simple. He owes it all to Iya Segi (the first wife). She's the brain of the house. But Iya Femi (the second wife) takes the cake. Vicious, calculated, and at the scene of not one but literally three crimes (wth is happening in that house?).

Baba Segi lives in an illusion of power. His business was handed to him on a silver plate, his second wife was collateral damage for bad business, Taju brought him his third wife, and Bolanle basically proposed to herself. What spell did he cast on these women?

Well...

I can't tell.

What I will say, however, is that Bolanle deserved to keep her vintage china. What's wrong with a girl who hoards antiques?

This book brought a rollercoaster of emotions, for various reasons.

Firstly, Baba Segi isn't funny, but his entire life is a... well... a punchline.

Secondly, I believe Lola Shoneyin did an amazing job at finding the balance between deflecting heavy topics with humour and addressing real-life issues. She painted a vivid universe, where the reader is immersed in the family life from the very first page. There is never a dull moment in Baba Segi's house.

When he comes back from work, all are gathered in their designated seats to watch TV with him.

The flamboyant Iya Tope never missed an opportunity to seduce him and catch his eye. She was the true vixen. A force to be reckoned with. I'd hate to be at odds with her though.

As an enthusiast of African Literature, I would like to give this book a 9/10.

This book is heartwarming, chaotic, and beautifully written. An unforgettable dive into the lives of four women bound together by a man.

The ending had my jaw on the floor!

If you'd like to discuss it, don't hesitate to reach out! I write back ;)