The Parlour Wife, Foluso Agbaje
The Parlour Wife, Foluso Agbaje
List: $27.99 | Sale: $19.59
Club: $13.99

The Parlour Wife

Author: Foluso Agbaje

Narrator: Precious Mustapha

Unabridged: 9 hr 43 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 09/06/2024


Synopsis

' ' This Lovely City Praise for : Kehinde must put everything on the line to find herself during a time of war. Lagos, 1939 With the announcement of World War Two and a change that sends shockwaves through her family, Kehinde is forced to put aside her dreams of writing and become the third wife of Mr Ogunjobi. Kehinde makes her peace by selling snacks at a small market. When she gets the chance to assist the leader of the Lagos Market Women's Association, fighting for the rights the British are trying to take away, Kehinde finally feels useful again. But if her husband finds out he’ll abandon her. Can Kehinde find the courage to fight for herself and the other women of Lagos? Or will she remain a caged bird, a parlour wife, forever. A poignant story of a young Nigerian woman, living with the consequences of a war her country didn’t choose. '1940's Nigeria as you've rarely seen it … Kehinde's journey to discovering her own voice, and ultimately her own autonomy, will resonate with many. A delightful debut!’ Chioma Okereke, author of 'A delightful and evocative journey that starts in the heart of a young woman in Lagos whose destiny is threatened when the clouds of family and societal expectations, thesecond World War and the new wave of change sweeping West Africa make their impact on her life and choices' Ola Awonubi, author of 'We all studied WW2, but Nigeria’s role, as a British colony, doesn’t feature in many books. Agbage corrects this in her poignant debut. I rooted for feisty Kehinde from the get-go. It’s not easy to be a feminist when you’re a third wife and destined for the parlour – her courage was wonderfully written' Nikki May, author of and 'Written in a warm, compassionate voice, Foluso Agbaje’s is a harmonious marriage of historical events and memorable characters' Sefi Atta, author of

Reviews

Goodreads review by Lyn on July 21, 2024

Like so many others, I had no idea what the impact of WW2 was on Nigerian people or even much idea of life there at the time. Kehinde is such a strong character, hitting her head against the customs and thoughts of her times. I loved her political activism and that of the market women. I had never h......more

Goodreads review by Nelly on December 04, 2024

This is a very easy to read book with an enjoyable plot and I’m not sure if this is just me but,,,,,, the writing style reads very modern , I couldn’t relate it to the timeline the book was set in. The plot also developed in a way that felt repetitive but in all it’s an okay book hence the 2.5 stars......more

Goodreads review by Poppy || Monster Lover on September 08, 2024

I’ll be honest, I don’t love historical fiction because a lot of my personal triggers, like purity culture, come up in it frequently. However, I can still recognize and appreciate a well written book, which this was. Kehinde was a complex MC, with a drive to make a difference in the world competing w......more

Goodreads review by Bukola on December 08, 2024

I’m so glad I read this book! It was incredibly interesting and informative. This historical fiction is set in Lagos, Nigeria, beginning in 1939 with the announcement of World War II. Our protagonist, Kehinde, has just turned 18 alongside her twin brother. She lives with her loving parents, who share......more

Goodreads review by Deeks on January 15, 2025

It was okay. Whoever compared it to the secret lives of Baba Segi’s wives lieddddd.......more


Quotes

Praise for : '1940's Nigeria as you've rarely seen it … Kehinde's journey to discovering her own voice, and ultimately her own autonomy, will resonate with many. A delightful debut!’ Chioma Okereke, author of 'A delightful and evocative journey that starts in the heart of a young woman in Lagos whose destiny is threatened when the clouds of family and societal expectations, thesecond World War and the new wave of change sweeping West Africa make their impact on her life and choices' Ola Awonubi, author of 'We all studied WW2, but Nigeria’s role, as a British colony, doesn’t feature in many books. Agbage corrects this in her poignant debut. I rooted for feisty Kehinde from the get-go. It’s not easy to be a feminist when you’re a third wife and destined for the parlour – her courage was wonderfully written' Nikki May, author of and 'Written in a warm, compassionate voice, Foluso Agbaje’s is a harmonious marriage of historical events and memorable characters' Sefi Atta, author of 'I fell in love with Kehinde, a young woman who never gives up on what she believes in, while remaining true to her time. It was so refreshing to see WW2 through her eyes and to appreciate how the war affected Nigeria and her people. A memorable debut' Louise Hare, author of