The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives

Lola Shoneyin

I was fascinated by the lives of these women and this extraordinary story of secrets, petty jealousies and revenge. It is quite a dark book but told with humour and lyricism - I really loved it. Don't be put off by the way each of the wives and Baba Segi tell the story in turn - it really does enhance the impact of the book to see events from each individual point of view.

Extract

I perched on a stool while the wives sat in large armchairs. The children shuffled around the room and whispered amongst themselves. To ease the uncomfortable silence, I told the wife with two-tone skin how gorgeous her skirt and blouse were .... 'Uneducated women wear good things too,' she retorted.

Parallels