The Parlour Wife

Kehinde must put everything on the line to find herself during a time of war in Lagos, 1939. She becomes the third wife of Mr. Ogunjobi and sells snacks at a small market. When she gets the chance to assist the leader of the Lagos Market Women's Association, she fights for the rights the British are trying to take away. But if her husband finds out, he will abandon her. Can Kehinde find the courage to fight for herself and the other women of Lagos?

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 12 September 2024
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Kehinde Ogunjobi,a young Nigerian woman,is forced to put aside her dreams of writing and become the third wife of Mr Ogunjobi when the announcement of World War Two sends shockwaves through her family. She makes her peace by selling snacks at a small market and 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. But if her husband finds out, he will 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? The Parlour Wife is a poignant story of a young Nigerian woman living with the consequences of a war her country didn't choose. Praise for The Parlour Wife: 1940s 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 Water Baby 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, the Second World War, and the new wave of change sweeping West Africa make their impact on her life and choices. Ola Awonubi, author of A Nurses Tale 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 Wahala and This Motherless Land Written in a warm, compassionate voice, Fol. Kehinde Ogunjobi, a young Nigerian woman, is forced to put aside her dreams of writing and become the third wife of Mr Ogunjobi when the announcement of World War Two sends shockwaves through her family. She makes her peace by selling snacks at a small market and 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. But if her husband finds out, he will 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? The Parlour Wife is a poignant story of a young Nigerian woman living with the consequences of a war her country didn't choose.

Weight: 268g
Dimension: 129 x 198 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780008654719