The Virgin is the 1985 debut novel by Nigerian writer Bayo Adebowale.[1][2] The novel, published in 1985, narrated the dilemma of a young village girl who after being deflowered must choose between three suitors, and agonizes about her secret being discovered on her wedding night.[3][4] Scholar Wendy Griswold classifies The Virgin as a "village novel", a book that deals with the mores of a traditional Nigerian village, in the same vein as some works by Chinua Achebe.[1]
| Author | Bayo Adebowale |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Series | Egret romance & thrillers |
| Genre | Literary Fiction |
| Publisher | Bounty press and Paperback Publishers, Ibadan |
Publication date | 1985 |
| Publication place | Nigeria |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 116 pp |
| ISBN | 978-33029-1-4 |
| OCLC | 633633330 |
Plot
editA girl from a Yoruba village is engaged to a hunter from another village. Having been seduced by a man returning to the village from his life in a Nigerian city, she nervously awaits her wedding night.
Background
editAdebowale is considered a member of the "third generation" of Nigerian authors, whose works generally deal with more cosmopolitan themes than earlier generations of Nigerian writers.[5] However, unlike other members of the "third generation", Adebowale's work deals with rural life in Nigeria, particularly life in small villages.[1] The Virgin is an example of one such work; Adebowale believes that Nigerian writers and artists have a duty to examine and reflect on traditional Nigerian life.[1]
Film adaptation
editTunde Kelani wrote the screenplay and directed a 95-minute film version, titled The Narrow Path, filmed and released on 12 May 2006. The film starred Sola Asedeko, Ayo Badmus and Khabirat Kafidipe while the sound track was written and produced by Beautiful Nubia.[6] The film was edited by Mumin Wale Kelani and Frank Efe Patrick and the costume was designed by Abiola Atanda[7] Much of the dialogue and narration is taken directly from the novel. The film is considered faithful to the book in spite of the latter's non-traditional narrative.[8]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Griswold, Wendy (19 June 2000). Bearing Witness: Readers, Writers, and the Novel in Nigeria. ISBN 0691058296. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
- ^ "Pragmatic Features of Nigerian English : A Case Study of Selected Poems of Bayo Adebowale" (PDF). Unilorin.edu.ng. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
- ^ "When pages flip to inhabit screens - Weekly Trust". Dailytrust.com.ng. 28 June 2014. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
- ^ Ehling, Holger G.; Mutius, Claus-Peter Holste-von (2001). No Condition Is Permanent: Nigerian Writing and the Struggle for Democracy - Holger Ehling, Claus-Peter Holste-von Mutius - Google Books. ISBN 9042014865. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
- ^ Dalley, Hamish (Winter 2013). "The Idea of "Third Generation Nigerian Literature": Conceptualizing Historical Change and Territorial Affiliation in the Contemporary Nigerian Novel". Research in African Literatures. 44 (4): 15–34. doi:10.2979/reseafrilite.44.4.15. hdl:1885/75434. S2CID 143625804.
- ^ "Chemistry graduate behind winning sound tracks". Punchng.com. 12 June 2013. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
- ^ "The Narrow Path (2006)". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
- ^ Kerr, David; Banham, Martin; Gibbs, James; Plastow, Jane; Osofisan, Femi (2011). Media and Performance - Google Books. ISBN 9781847010384. Retrieved 4 April 2015.