Although a work of fiction, the Parlour Wife has been scribed in such a way that the life of Kehinde feels totally real. What drew me to this novel was my ignorance of the role of Nigeria during WW2, and a better understanding of the culture and treatment of women in that country. Foluso has an easy style of writing bringing colour and detail to the streets of Lagos. A story of having belief in oneself and having confidence and determination to achieve one’s dreams.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers HarperCollins One More Chapter for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an independent review.

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 with her upbringing to be an obedient woman. She was put in so many impossible situations, having life happen to her instead of making choices for herself. She had to fight, even though it was often quietly, for a life that she could be proud of. My heart broke for her time and again, as she faced the difficulties of WW2 in colonial Nigeria on top of being the 3rd wife of a rotten man. She made many mistakes on her journey, but grew as time went on.
I enjoyed the immersion in a world different from my own and the rich history infused into the story from foods eaten, societal norms, political movements, and markets. It was fascinating and obviously well researched — the author even providing a list of sources at the end of the book.

Spice: 1/5

Triggers: sexual violence, emotional abuse, physical assault, cheating, sexism, racism, threat of poverty, death of family member, pregnancy, child birth, war (off page, frequently mentioned), murder (low detail)

Absolutely stunning! I loved every second of this book. I have literally never read any literature about Nigeria during WWII and it didn’t disappoint. I loved Kehinde’s journey as a girl to a brave strong women. I couldn’t wait for her to get out of that useless man’s house! The love between her and Ayo was so nice to see, I love when we can see a good relationship between sister wife’s. They have a common enemy!

A blend of historical detail and character development, “The Parlour Wife" shines a light on a lesser-known facet of World War II history — the role played by countries like Nigeria.

The characters are well-crafted, each with distinct personalities and backstories that add depth to the narrative.

What I found a bit disappointing was the novel's pacing towards the end. After a thoroughly engaging and well-developed storyline, the ending feels rushed and lacks the same depth and nuance as the rest of the book. The transition to a somewhat clichéd "happily ever after" also feels quite abrupt. It’s purely a matter of personal taste, but I would’ve preferred a more nuanced resolution.

Despite this shortcoming, "The Parlour Wife" offers a fresh perspective on the era, celebrating the life and contributions of those who were often overlooked.

I enjoyed the story and her relationship with her brother. What I didn’t love was probably the language. I expected the characters to sound Nigerian, however aside a few local words and phrases, that sense wasn’t there for me. Especially when Emeka said “gosh” at a point in time. It felt very out of place considering the story that was being told.

That being said I think it was a pretty good story

Read this in a few hours and while I applaud how to brings to light the impact of WWII on Lagos, I was left feeling like I need something to make it a stand out book. It's out at the end of August! I recommend it for fans of Stay With Me.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and felt a deep connection with the main character, Kehinde, not just because of our shared name but also due to the similarities in our characters. Kehinde's journey to discover her voice and strength against significant challenges was truly inspiring. Kehinde’s story is one that has stuck with long after I finished reading and I imagine it will stay with me for much longer. Additionally, I appreciated the opportunity to learn about how World War II impacted my home country, which added a personal and enlightening dimension to the story.

Farah G
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The Parlour Wife by Foluso Agbaje
The Parlour Wife: The most poignant historical fiction...
by Foluso Agbaje
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Many lives changed with the advent of the Second World War, and even in Lagos - so far from the epicenter of events - Kehinde finds in 1939 that she is required to make drastic changes to her dreams of being a writer.

But her unanticipated marriage to Mr Ogunjobi brings equally unanticipated opportunities - alongside the inevitable challenges of being his third wife.

As a vendor of snacks in a nearby market, Kehinde finds herself drawn into activities of a very different nature. And even though she knows that this will not meet with her husband's approval if he ever finds out, she is torn between the temptation to be herself, and her fear of the consequences of doing so. So, what will Kehinde decide?

This is an unusual historical novel that vividly brings alive the setting and circumstances of women's lives in Lagos on the cusp of the 1940s. Readers will empathise with Kehinde's desire to be more than just a caged bird, a mere "parlour wife". An interesting read, worth checking out, it gets 3.5 stars.

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 heard of the term parlour wife and wondered what that must be like for all concerned. This is my favourite sort of book, learning something new about life and times and enjoying the journey with lively and likeable characters. I was sad when the book ended, because I wanted to know what happened to everyone post war. Thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter for a chance to read and review this book.