• The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives

  • A Novel
  • By: Lola Shoneyin
  • Narrated by: Lola Shoneyin
  • Length: 9 hrs and 28 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (359 ratings)

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The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives  By  cover art

The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives

By: Lola Shoneyin
Narrated by: Lola Shoneyin
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Publisher's summary

SOON TO BE A NETFLIX SERIES!

Award-winning author Lola Shoneyin delivers an irresistible and entertaining story of marriage, family, power, and heartache set in modern-day Nigeria in her debut novel.

When Baba Segi woke up with a bellyache for the sixth day in a row, he knew it was time to do something drastic about his fourth wife’s childlessness.

For Baba Segi, his collection of wives and gaggle of children are a symbol of prosperity, success, and a validation of his manhood. All is well in this patriarchal home, until Baba arrives with wife number four, a quiet, college-educated, young woman named Bolanle. Jealous and resentful of this interloper who is stealing their husband’s attention, Baba’s three wives begin to plan her downfall. How dare she not know her place, they whisper. How dare she offer to teach them to read. They will teach her instead, they vow, and open their husband's eyes to this wicked wind who has upturned the tranquility of their home.

Bolanle’s mother worked hard to educate her daughter and save her from a life of polygamy and dependence. She cannot understand why her daughter has chosen such a fate. But Bolanle hides a terrible secret—a secret that will unwittingly exposes the deception and lies, secrets and shame upon which Baba Segi’s household rests.

A stirring rale of men and women, mothers and children, servitude and independence, The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives illuminates the common threads that connect the experiences of all women: the hardships they bear, their struggle to define themselves, and their fierce desire to protect those they love.

©2021 Lola Shoneyin (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

What listeners say about The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives

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  • Overall
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Perfect narration

As a nigerian who rarely gets to hear audio books set in Nigeria narrated in the right accent, I was overjoyed to listen to this wonderful book narrated by the author herself. It felt like listening to gossip that I wasn't supposed to hear at my mom and aunts feet as a kid.
The story was brilliantly written, the twists and turns revealed themselves at a deliciously perfect pace.
Wonderfully written and narrated.

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12 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Beautiful, haunting and evocative

I have read this wonderful book every year since 2012. I was so excited to learn that the audiobook was going to be out in January, and waited for months with bated breath. I am so happy that the author read the book herself, because she does it with such finesse, humor and confidence.

If you want a story that touches you and turns you inside out, a story that brilliantly captures Nigerian life in certain circles, then this is the book to get.

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7 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Long-winded, sadistic, overly theatrical, and sad.

I wanted to enjoy this book, but from the beginning I found the writing to be excruciatingly descriptive, particularly when describing anything putrid, sad, or sadistic. Midway through, I was so disgusted and annoyed by the melodramatic performance, overly detailed descriptions of the characters' bodily functions and suffering, I couldn't wait for it to be over. I suffered through to the end just to have closure.

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6 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

funny and well narated

the narrator did well to bring the story out. i found it funny and interesting and loved how it all came together. it was recommended after i read the death of vivek oji- another good book.

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2 people found this helpful

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Wow!

I enjoyed everything about this book! The author’s narration was superb and brought it to life. Didn’t want it to end.

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2 people found this helpful

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Wonderfully imaginative and deep

I was thrilled from the beginning to the end in this imaginative tale of connection and disharmony. Set in Africa with many interesting cultural differences there are inner dynamics that develop over time.

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2 people found this helpful

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Just Awesome

I didn't really know what to expect but this book was captivating, I could not wait to find the time to get back to it. The pace was good and the plot just kept getting better.

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2 people found this helpful

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masterfully crafted

excellent narrator. great plot, complaining story. Ended very satisfactorily. tells a lot of the culture headaches of polygamy. And most importantly how we are victims of our upbringing/past.

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1 person found this helpful

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Flesh on the bones of collective secret stories

This was like an anthology of stories that women only whisper to themselves in the darkness. Well written with a pen like a paintbrush. One could see aunts, mothers, sisters and cousins that have lived these lives and then some. The author did not shy away from the pain, but also showed the strength, resilience and industriousness of women in a society that may rate them only on the ability to bear children. Beautifully narrated in a voice and an accent that added authenticity.

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1 person found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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Horrible weird book :(

I really hated this disturbing and creepy book altogether. Could not even finish it. Waste of time.

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1 person found this helpful