Book review 7: The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives Lola Shoneyin

Every family has a secret. 

For the most part, we are either part of those who know the secret or among those waiting for its reveal. 

FOMO–loosely known as the “Fear Of Missing Out”-is one of the many reasons I hurried to get this book. My intention was to read The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives in June, but when I saw fellow BookTok readers reviewing it, everything changed. 

African literature lovers like myself know that Nigerian authors have a remarkable way with words so I simply could not resist. And no, I am not being biased.  

If you are uncertain,  read The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives for affirmation.  

The Root of Secrets

Secrets exist in almost every household. Some secrets are said to hold families together, while others slowly tear them apart. 

Growing up in many African households, we are taught certain information about our customs and family matters must remain within the family.  Outsiders are not meant to know these things. Whether it is a friendship or romantic relationship, boundaries need to be in place.

At the time, these teachings and principles felt restrictive. But as I have grown older, I have begun to understand the reasoning behind them and they have shaped the person I am today. 

That being said, I do not advocate for destructive secretiveness. The darkness that comes with turning a blind eye to wrongdoings eventually harms family members.  

In fact, I am known in my own family for calling out secrets that give life to generational curses. 

In the book

What we see in the Segi household is the fragile tension between the “secret keeper” and “secret revealer”. Both carry the burden of what the truth might bring once it is uncovered.    

Because sometimes, the secret in question threatens to bring shame upon the entire family. 

And in moments like this, the question becomes inevitable:

Do we continue protecting the secret or do we prepare ourselves for change?

Lola Shoneyin explores this question beautifully. 

Book 7 of 2026

Entertaining and insightful. 

Phiwe Mncwabe is a pan-African storyteller, blogger and founder of Botlhale Hub Afrika.

More stories–https://botlhaleafrika.co.za/ 

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