| 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 |
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]
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.
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]
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]