OBF 2025: Wamuwi Mbao interviews Foluso Agbaje (The Parlour Wife)

Loading player...
Pagecast was at the 2025 Open Book Festival, where we spoke with authors about their writing journeys and the stories they share with readers. In this first episode, Wamuwi Mbao interviews Foluso Agbaje about her moving novel, The Parlour Wife.

Set in Lagos in 1939 during the start of World War Two, the story follows Kehinde, who must leave her dreams of writing to become the third wife of Mr Ogunjobi. Kehinde finds purpose selling snacks and later joining the Lagos Market Women’s Association, fighting the British for women’s rights. But if her husband discovers her defiance, she risks being abandoned. Can Kehinde find the courage to fight for herself and other women, or will she remain trapped as a parlour wife?

Thank you to our furniture sponsor, Zorora:
https://zororasofas.co.za/

#PagecastPodcast #OpenBookFestival #SouthAfricanBooks #AfricanLiterature #FolusoAgbaje #TheParlourWife #LagosStories #WomenWriters #HistoricalFiction #BookInterviews #BookPodcast
10 Sep English South Africa Books · Society & Culture

Other recent episodes

Deep Blue by Veruska De Vita

Dive into the latest episode of Pagecast as Tessa Barlin chats with Veruska De Vita about her new book, Deep Blue. Discover why the sea captivates us, how cold water plunging boosts wellness, and the urgent impact of climate change on our oceans. From free divers to scientists, this conversation…
29 Sep 37 min

OBF 2025: Wamuwi Mbao interviews Siphokazi Jonas (Weeping Becomes a River)

Pagecast was at the 2025 Open Book Festival, where we spoke with authors about their writing journeys and the stories they share with readers. In this episode, Wamuwi Mbao interviews Siphokazi Jonas about her poetry collection, Weeping Becomes a River. Siphokazi Jonas is a weaver of seemingly discordant worlds; growing…
23 Sep 19 min

OBF 2025: Sindiswa Busuku-Mathese interviews Nick Mulgrew (The Book of Unrest)

Pagecast was at the 2025 Open Book Festival, where we spoke with authors about their writing journeys and the stories they share with readers. In this episode, Sindiswa Busuku-Mathese interviews Nick Mulgrew about his latest collection, The Book of Unrest, as well as the launch of his new press, Batis…
19 Sep 19 min

OBF 2025: Bongani Kona interviews Frankie Murrey (A Collection of Gaps)

Pagecast was at the 2025 Open Book Festival, where we spoke with authors about their writing journeys and the stories they share with readers. In this episode, Bongani Kona interviews Frankie Murrey about her latest work, A Collection of Gaps. There’s this moon in the sky. And I want to…
17 Sep 21 min