The Virgin (novel) explained

The Virgin
Author:Bayo Adebowale
Country:Nigeria
Language:English
Series:Egret romance & thrillers
Genre:Literary Fiction
Publisher:Bounty press and Paperback Publishers, Ibadan
Release Date:1985
Media Type:Print (Hardback & Paperback)
Pages:116 pp
Isbn:978-33029-1-4
Oclc:633633330

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]

Plot

A 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

Adebowale 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

Tunde 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]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Bearing Witness: Readers, Writers, and the Novel in Nigeria . Wendy Griswold. 19 June 2000. 0691058296 . 4 April 2015. Griswold . Wendy .
  2. Web site: Pragmatic Features of Nigerian English : A Case Study of Selected Poems of Bayo Adebowale . Unilorin.edu.ng . 4 April 2015.
  3. Web site: When pages flip to inhabit screens - Weekly Trust . Dailytrust.com.ng . 28 June 2014 . 4 April 2015.
  4. Book: No Condition Is Permanent: Nigerian Writing and the Struggle for Democracy - Holger Ehling, Claus-Peter Holste-von Mutius - Google Books . 9042014865 . 4 April 2015. Ehling . Holger G. . Mutius . Claus-Peter Holste-von . 2001 .
  5. 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. 10.2979/reseafrilite.44.4.15. 1885/75434. 143625804. free.
  6. Web site: Chemistry graduate behind winning sound tracks . Punchng.com . 12 June 2013 . 4 April 2015.
  7. Web site: The Narrow Path (2006). Internet Movie Database. 4 April 2015.
  8. Book: Media and Performance - Google Books . 9781847010384 . 4 April 2015. Kerr . David . Banham . Martin . Gibbs . James . Plastow . Jane . Osofisan . Femi . 2011 .